10 amazing boundary catches that defied the laws of physics

Maxwell’s catch at the mid-wicket boundary during the 4th ODI between England & Australia is still making headlinesThrowing the ball into the air to go outside the boundary line and then coming back in to complete the catch – Not even Jonty Rhodes, who is widely credited to have re-invented the art of fielding in modern cricket, could have boasted of such credentials back then, which is a testimony to how rapidly the game has changed in the last decade or so.With the rise of T20 cricket, the game is becoming faster by the day and the class of fielding has massively improved now. Even a single run saved or a catch held on to can make a huge difference now in the larger context of things. Fielders have accordingly honed their skills and with the high athleticism on display, the game of cricket has witnessed some outstanding catches, especially close to the boundary line.Let us look at the ten best boundary catches from the recent past.

#10 Sachin Tendulkar

You just can’t keep Sachin Tendulkar out of any cricket list, can you? Anyone who watched the 2003-04 India-Pakistan series would fondly remember Tendulkar's famous catch on the boundary to dismiss Inzamam. Inzamam had surely thought that the ball would be sailing over the rope but Tendulkar timed his jump to perfection and then did a delicate balancing act to complete the catch cleanly.

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#9 Andy Bichel

Andy Bichel's amazing boundary line catch against New Zealand took the cricketing world by storm back in 2005. Bichel completes the catch, balances himself and releases the ball when he realises that he will have to go over the rope. Then he comes back in to complete the catch.

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#8 Virender Sehwag

Yet another player who is not the best fielder around makes the list. Virender Sehwag who put his amazing hand-eye co-ordination to good effect in his efforts with the willow in hand, displayed it’s use on the field as well in a match against Australia by taking an incredible catch on the boundary to dismiss Michael Clarke.

The way Sehwag leaps off the ground and arches his body to complete the one-handed catch is truly a spectacle to behold. And he does it with his quintessential nonchalant air.

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#7 David Hussey

David Hussey
David Hussey is an extremely athletic fielder

David Hussey's supreme juggling effort in the boundary while playing for the KKR in IPL 2010 is still remembered by many to be the first of its kind in many ways. From the timing of the jump, releasing the ball and then coming back into the field of play to complete the catch, Hussey times everything perfectly.

You can watch the video of this outstanding effort here.

#6 Trent Boult

West Indies’ all-rounder Kieron Pollard who has made himself a master of juggling efforts on the boundary ironically fell victim to a similar effort by Trent Boult. The New Zealand fast bowler may not be known for his fielding skills, but on this occasion he completed a superb catch on the boundary, threw the ball into the air and then dived inside to complete the catch leaving the many outstanding fielders in the New Zealand side pleasantly surprised.

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#5 Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard is known for his valuable power-hitting while coming in to bat in the lower order. But the burly Trinidadian is also an outstanding fielder and has taken some absolute blinders over the years.

None will forget the catch he took off fellow West Indian Kevon Cooper during the IPL match between his side Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals but he has taken an even better one at the boundary line in an international match. It came against Australia in an ODI where he leaped high at the square leg boundary to grab a one-handed stunner out of thin air. He managed to hold on to the ball as he fell to the ground, much to the surprise of the entire crowd and a certain Glenn Maxwell.

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#4 Bevan Small/ Michael Mason

This incredible catch from the New Zealand domestic HRV Twenty20 competition did not go unnoticed in the cricketing world. Bevan Small jumps over the boundary rope to catch the ball mid-air and throws it back towards Michael Mason into the field of play. The catch is completed by Mason who shows an incredible awareness and agility.

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#3 Josh Lalor

Josh Lalor's catch in the Big Bash to dismiss the Melbourne Stars skipper Cameron White courted widespread controversy at that time. When Lalor understood that his momentum would take him over the boundary, he released the ball and then completed the catch having balanced himself.

Many argued that the catch was not legal as Lalor had jumped from outside the boundary to complete the catch.

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#2 Angelo Mathews / Tillakaratne Dilshan

Angelo Mathews' stunning effort to dismiss Australia’s opening batsman David Warner in a T20 match left the cricketing world in disbelief. Mathews leaped high to take a superb catch on the boundary but then throws it in-field before going out of the field of play. The catch is completed by Dilshan who deserves due credit as well.

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#1 Glenn Maxwell

The most recent catch to have courted controversy and amazement in equal measure was taken by Glenn Maxwell during the 4th ODI against England in the recently concluded series. Maxwell, on the verge of crossing over the line, threw the ball up in the air and jumped back from outside the field of play to complete the catch.

The catch, though controversial, is perfectly legal as was explained later citing the earlier rule change. Maxwell's catch has to go down as one of the best boundary catches because of the athleticism and presence of mind on display.

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Edited by Staff Editor