Ben Stokes wonder catch gets commentators and fans asking if it was the best ever at World Cups

Ben Stokes’ catch to dismiss Andile Phehlukwayo in England’s victory over South Africa left commentators and fans salivating. WATCH THE CATCH!

Ben Stokes is mobbed by England team-mates after taking the catch of Andile Phehlukwayo

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The 2019 Cricket World Cup might already have its best catch of the tournament.

Running backward toward the boundary rope, England all-rounder Ben Stokes leapt high and took an improbable one-handed catch on the stretch to dismiss South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo.

First day of the World Cup and we might have seen the catch of the tournament! #BenStokes

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 30, 2019

It sparked gasps in the crowd at The Oval and amazement across social media.

“It’s the best catch I’ve ever seen in the flesh,” former England spinner Graeme Swann posted on Twitter.

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Ex-England captain Nasser Hussain labelled it the greatest ever catch.

Stokes admitted he had taken a step in from the boundary and that led to him having to pull off his fantastic take as hosts England got their campaign off to a winning start, winning by 104 runs.

Ben Stokes takes an outrageous catch in England's win over South Africa

He told Sky Sports: “I had a bit of a panic on to be honest. I was further in than I should have been.

“I panicked a bit. Luckily it stuck. I didn’t really know how I’d react because I shouldn’t have been there.

“It was probably just a regulation catch if I was in the right position.”

Ben Stokes with the bat, Ben Stokes with the ball, Ben Stokes on the field!

No question about who's the Player of the Match in the #CWC19 opener 👏 #ENGvSA #WeAreEngland pic.twitter.com/2pZwa10xEt

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 30, 2019

WOW!!!! @benstokes38 has just taken the most ridiculously audacious catch in the @ODIWCup_2019 it’s the best catch I’ve ever seen in the flesh, find a screen quickly and see what I mean 😲😲😲

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) May 30, 2019

This match belongs to Ben Stokes. Runs with the bat. Catches—including a stunner. Run-Out. England starting the #CWC19 with an emphatic victory.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 30, 2019

Stokes also top-scored with 89 in a superb display as the hosts earlier posted 8-311 while finishing the match with two wickets in as many balls.

“I bowled the next over and Eoin Morgan had to come to me and ask if my heart rate had gone down. Things like that catch do get you fizzed up.

“I didn’t really know quite hard to react to be honest. I just tried to take it in.”

Originally published as Ben Stokes wonder catch gets commentators and fans asking if it was the best ever at World Cups