‘That is ridiculous’: Beth Mooney’s stunning grab in World Cup semi-final

Beth Mooney baffled her teammates with this absurd catch during Australia’s World Cup semi-final against the West Indies.

Beth Mooney takes a blinder.

Is there anything Beth Mooney can’t do?

The white-ball powerhouse pulled off a stunning catch during Australia’s World Cup semi-final against the West Indies in Wellington, sending social media into a frenzy.

There’s been no shortage of fielding highlights throughout this 50-over tournament, but Mooney’s one-handed grad at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday arguably tops the list.

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After Australia registered a whopping total of 3/305 from its 45 overs in the rain-affected fixture, the West Indies required nothing less than a record run chase to progress through to Sunday’s final.

But a 10-ball duck for opener Rashada Williams immediately put the West Indies on the back foot.

In the fourth over of their run chase, Australian seamer Megan Schutt delivered a short ball than Williams pulled towards square leg.

But Mooney lunged to her right with an outstretched arm, with the ball somehow sticking in her hand.

Schutt could hardly believe it; neither could her teammates.

Beth Mooney celebrates with teammate Megan Schutt. Photo by Mark Tantrum-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

“That can’t keep happening, surely,” former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith cried in commentary.

“And guess how? Beth Mooney!

“What a catch, stunning.”

It was Mooney’s seventh catch of the tournement, the most of any non-wicketkeeper in the World Cup.

Lancashire cricketer Alex Hartley tweeted: “That is ridiculous!”

The Australian’s Peter Lalor posted: “Bloody hell! This team is next level good. Belt Windies out of the park and then Mooney does this!”

A lot of slow-motion replays going around of Beth Mooney's catch.

Do yourself a favour and watch it in real time. Incredible. #CWC22pic.twitter.com/25WiEPYQKt

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) March 30, 2022

Cannot remember a cricket tournament with so many screamers. Beth Mooney at it again with a one-hander at square leg to dismiss Williams. Windies 1-12 #CWC22pic.twitter.com/1dHEnBErFU

— Ben McKay (@benmackey) March 30, 2022

Most catches by non-wicketkeepers in the Women’s World Cup

7 — Beth Mooney (AUS)

6 — Deandra Dottin (WI)

6 — Meg Lanning (AUS)

6 — Hayley Matthews (WI)

Earlier in the match, Mooney cracked an unbeaten 43 off 31 balls to help Australia register the largest team total in a Women’s World Cup knockout match.

The left-hander currently averages 134.00 in the 50-over tournament, scoring 268 runs in six knocks at a strike rate of 95.71.

On Tuesday evening, Mooney was leapfrogged by South African young gun Laura Wolvaardt on the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings, slipping down to No. 2.

Originally published as ‘That is ridiculous’: Beth Mooney’s stunning grab in World Cup semi-final