2 weeks Ago By Aaron Kirby
Australia’s newest Test player is making waves before even picking up his bat, combining with Marnus Labuschagne for a slips catch for the ages. After winning an Australia A’ bat-off’, Nathan McSweeney earned his place in the Test squad. But what fans didn’t know was he is also a jet in the field, producing what could already be the catch of the summer.
He was in the action just overs into his first morning as he took the first catch of the match at gully. However, it was his work after lunch that left the cricket world speechless. As India’s batting struggles reached a conclusion, debutant Harshit Rana attempted to add some quick runs to the score, flashing the ball into a stacked slip cordon.
Standing in gully again, McSweeny was forced into a desperate full-length dive, getting his left palm to the ball. Unable to hang onto the screamer, he somehow found a way, intentionally or unintentionally, to deflect the ball towards Labuschagne at third slip. The Queenslander produced his own feat of quick thinking, snatching the ball out of the air with his right hand to complete a remarkable catch and send Rana on his way for a quick seven.
Optus Stadium erupted as stun teammates, including Steve Smith, ran to embrace the pair. Just moments before the wicket, Josh Hazlewood’s third, skipper Pat Cummins moved WA’s Mitch Marsh into a second gully..
