Birthday special: Three incredible catches taken by Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood was one of the vital cogs of the England cricket team for almost a decade. He featured in 68 Tests, 197 ODIs and 36 T20Is for the England side. While he scored 4259 runs in Test cricket, he also amassed 5092 runs in the ODI format of the game.
Collingwood also led England to the coveted 2010 T20 World Cup trophy. But then, apart from his prowess as a batsman, what stood out in Collingwood was his ability on the field. Collingwood has taken some insane catches and will go down as one of the greatest fielders of his time. With the former England cricketer turning 45 today, let us take a look at the three most memorable fielding efforts of Paul Collingwood in international cricket.
3. Catch to dismiss Faisal Iqbal (2006) – Tests
The scorecard might show that Steve Harmison took the wicket, but equal credit should be given to Paul Collingwood as well, for taking an absolute blinder of a catch to dismiss Pakistan batsman Faisal Iqbal in the year 2006 in a Test match. With Iqbal batting on 0, Harmison bowled a bouncer and the right-hander was caught off guard.
Iqbal awkwardly fended at the delivery, and the ball flew in the air. Collingwood leapt in the air as well and pouched a one-handed catch in the slip cordon. The England players were jubilant as Collingwood took one of the best catches taken by an England cricketer in Test cricket. The match between England and Pakistan ended in a draw.
2. Catch to dismiss Ramnaresh Sarwan (2004) – ODIs
On 1st July 2004, Ramnaresh Sarwan’s innings was cut short by an ethereal fielding display by Paul Collingwood. Marcus Trescothick bowled a short delivery, and Sarwan cut the ball fiercely. Collingwood, who was stationed at point, caught the ball in a fraction of a second from the air to leave Sarwan dumbstruck.
Sarwan walked back in disbelief after scoring 46 runs. In this encounter, England beat West Indies with 3 wickets to spare. Harmison won the Player of the Match award for picking up 3 wickets in the 10 overs that he bowled.
1. Catch to dismiss Matthew Hayden (2005) – ODIs
This will go down as one of the greatest catches taken in the history of ODI cricket. In the clash between England and Australia on 19th July 2005, Steve Harmison bowled a short delivery, and Matthew Hayden cut the ball hard. And, looking at the way it was struck, the ball had four runs written all over it.
But then, Paul Collingwood defied gravity and took a screamer at point. The commentators were dumbstruck and the crowd was stunned, at the breath-taking effort on the field from Collingwood. The England side beat Australia in the clash with 3 wickets and 15 balls to spare.
