Steve Smith’s teammates have been left stunned by an incredible catch at first slip against South Africa on day three of the Test match in Durban.
Australia took firm control of the match as South Africa crumbled in response to the tourists’ first innings total of 390.
And it was largely inspired by the remarkable fielding instincts of Smith, who also recaptured the lead for most Test catches in history from English rival Joe Root.
Aiden Markram and David Bedingham started the day scoring at four runs an over but found the easy going halted as Nathan Lyon produced a vintage display.
After Markram fell, Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma, who averages more than 53 in the 12 Tests he has captained, was put through a trial by spin.
He attempted to escape it with the reverse sweep with the third-man boundary unprotected.
However, Smith saw him coming, moving sharply to his right at first slip as Bavuma lowered himself into the shot.
The South African was beaten by the bounce and got a top edge that went straight to where Smith had moved to.
It had commentators hailing his cricket brilliance, but it was only the start of his epic day at slip.
As the home side continued to fall apart, Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen attempted to launch a counterattack.
Jansen scored freely against the quicks and even got Lyon away for a boundary.
But Verreynne got stuck against Australia’s greatest finger spinner of all time and turned to the reverse sweep.
It proved disastrous as Smith saw him coming as well.
He again darted to his right, but this time Verreynne had gotten a decent connection, the ball set to fly past the former Australian captain.
Somehow, the 37-year-old reached just a touch further and plucked the ball out of thin air, leaving teammate Marnus Labuschagne, who is prone to exaggerated reactions, exclaiming, “Oh my god, Smudge”.
But it was no exaggeration, as every Australian greeted the veteran to celebrate his remarkable effort.
Smith had earlier taken a blinder off the bowling of Pat Cummins, diving across first slip to remove Bedingham.
