Opening week of the World Cup throws up three early contenders for catch of the tournament
Cottrell puts hand up for catch of the tournament
Australian Steve Smith fell victim to arguably the catch of the World Cup as West Indies quick Sheldon Cottrell pulled off a one-handed screamer at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
After Smith rescued Australia from an alarming top-order collapse, he looked on track to post three figures in just his second official game back in the side.
But that was before Cottrell worked his magic with the former Australian skipper on 73.
Looking to up the ante with six overs to go, Smith flicked fast bowler Oshane Thomas towards backward square leg.
Cottrell sprinted around the boundary rope and stuck out his left arm, plucking the ball out of the air as it appeared destined to sail over the boundary.
Image Id: 44A85E3CE86B41DF872407C301DE855D Image Caption: Cottrell pockets the ball on his left handHe then had to throw the ball in the air as his momentum took him over the rope, before he returned to the field of play and claimed the catch, all without breaking stride.
It came after Cottrell had earlier missed a chance to take Smith's wicket in the deep, as he slipped over trying to take a ball that bounced near his feet.
His successful catch could well have overtaken overtakes Ben Stokes' over-the-head effort during England's win over Pakistan in the tournament opener a week ago.
South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock also took a pearler to remove Virat Kohli in the Proteas' loss to India on Wednesday, diving one-handed in front of the slips to remove the world's best batsman.
2019 World Cup
Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets
June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs
June 9: India v Australia, The Oval
June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton
June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval
June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge
June 25: England v Australia, Lord's
June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)
July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)
July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford
July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston
July 14: Final, Lord's
Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE
For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE