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Best catches this century

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Chris Jordan's catch on day four of the first Test in Antigua is being proclaimed by some as the best ever. Countless others could fall into that category - many pre-dating the era of universal broadcast footage.

Here, we recall six of the best so far this century:

CHRIS JORDAN (England v West Indies, Antigua 2015) - A wonderful catch, no question, as Darren Bravo fell to an edged drive at Joe Root. Jordan dived one-handed low to his right to cover the gap between himself and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler - great anticipation, athleticism, and a great right hand too. An over later, he was unable to lay the same hand on what would have been another screamer when a second left-hander - Devon Smith - edged Root.

ADAM LYTH/AARON FINCH (Yorkshire v Lancashire, Old Trafford, 2014) - This was a creation of the Twenty20 age and a great example of what can be achieved and is routinely practised by modern professionals. Lyth gets no recognition in the NatWest Blast scorecard, but the special element was his leap high into the evening sky at long-off to parry what would have been a six off Adil Rashid back into play. Finch then made sure he was in the right place to complete the catch and end Tom Smith's innings.

ANDREW STRAUSS (England v Australia, Trent Bridge, 2005) - A series memorable for so many reasons included this moment of brilliance from Strauss at second slip. Adam Gilchrist fended an edge off Andrew Flintoff, from round the wicket, and Strauss took off to cover an astonishing amount of ground and hold on high to his left with his favoured hand.

ANDREW SYMONDS (Kent v Lancashire, Tunbridge Wells, 2004) - This one is absent from the YouTube play-lists and witnessed by a lucky few, early on the third morning of a County Championship match. The Australian himself, in fact, had only just joined his team-mates on the field - having sat out the first over of a sunny morning. He was ready, though - and when Warren Hegg mis-pulled Mohammad Sami, Symonds ran back and even jumped over the artificial pitch at the edge of the square to take a superb catch left-handed over his head - with full forward roll, but no further histrionics.

JAMES KIRTLEY (England v India, Lord's, 2002) - Has there ever been a better outfield catch than this one? Sourav Ganguly took on the man at deep mid-on, 20 yards in from the edge, hitting Ashley Giles with the spin. Kirtley appeared to have no chance of even stopping the boundary but launched himself to his left - and at full stretch, his left arm extended beyond what seemed humanly possible, he not only intercepted the ball inches from the turf but kept hold of it too when he hit the ground himself. India still won the NatWest Series match comfortably, though.

DWAYNE LEVEROCK (Bermuda v India at Trinidad 2007) - This was as good as any, but more memorable of course because of the Bermuda captain's burly build. Leverock is pushing 20 stones but took off to snatch a fantastic one-handed slip catch away to his right, Robin Uthappa the man to go off the bowling of Malachi Jones at the 2007 World Cup. "The earth shook", David 'Bumble' Lloyd told viewers in his live commentary of the Queens' Park Oval contest.


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