England’s Joe Denly’s drop of Kane Williamson off Jofra Archer has to be seen to be believed
Jofra Archer thought he had snagged the prize wicket of Kane Williamson. Joe Denly and his butter fingers had other ideas. The reaction of his team-mates was priceless. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!
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If things weren’t already enjoyable enough for Australian cricket fans - a quick glance across the Tasman on Tuesday served up another absolute treat.
An Ashes foe making an complete dolly of himself.
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After completing an emphatic two match series whitewash of Pakistan, all eyes turned to the impressive Kiwis, due in Australia shortly for a three match tour starting in Perth on December 12, and their tussle with Joe Root’s side.
WATCH DENLY’S BLOOPER IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
The form of the Kiwi batsman may present concern for the Australians. But England’s Joe Denly has provided some comic relief as Australia do their homework on their next opponents.
Jofra Archer was so sure he had dismissed New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson that he was three quarter way through his celebration before he realised, in fact, unbelievably, he hadn’t.
Denly put Williamson down in what Wisden Cricket Editor Lawrence Booth described as “if not the easiest catch in the history of international cricket ... not far off”.
The ball looped up at perfect height and modest speed to Denly at short mid-wicket. The kind of catch a club battler would take in his sleep.
That's ludicrous - Williamson chips Archer to Denly at short midwicket. If it's not the easiest catch in the history of international cricket, it's not far off. Denly drops it, with Archer already celebrating.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) December 2, 2019
But he grassed it. Unable to gather at the first, second or even third attempt.
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Though that may have changed on Tuesday, the swing bowler speaking - with his hands and eyes at least - for everyone watching.
"You can actually pinpoint the second when his heart rips in half..." 🔊#NZvEng pic.twitter.com/Cf6is38kvJ
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) December 2, 2019
Play resumed on day five with England still clinging to slim hopes of winning the Test to draw the two match series.
Hopes that were further shrunk by heavy rain forecast in Hamilton and Denly’s slippery fingers.
Williamson (37) and Ross Taylor (31) resumed with New Zealand 2-96 and needing just five more runs to wipe off a first-innings deficit.
Underrated part of Denly's defining moment as a Test cricketer there is the way he doesn't even manage to gather the ball at the second or third attempt as it lands and dribbles forlornly away.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) December 2, 2019
England’s cause wasn’t helped by a lifeless pitch that has made run-scoring difficult but also required diligence to prise batsmen out.
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New Zealand won the first Test by an innings and 65 runs in Mount Maunganui and look set to notch another impressive series result before their three-Test Trans Tasman showdown in Australia.
Man drop that?!
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) February 1, 2014
From their past 10 Test series, the Black Caps will have notched eight wins, one draw and one defeat.
Originally published as England’s Joe Denly’s drop of Kane Williamson off Jofra Archer has to be seen to be believed