Watch: In the Wellington Test match, Tom Blundell flew in front of the slip cordon to take an astonishing catch to dismiss Steve Smith.
Tim Southee won the toss and elected to play in the first Test of the two-match series at Basin Reserve. Openers Usman Khawaja (33) and Steve Smith (31) added 61 in the first 24 overs.
Matt Henry then hit a good length ball to the off stump. Smith stood firm in the goal area and reached for the ball, but it reached the outside and flew towards the barrier.
Tom Blundell threw to his right, held the catch with both hands before the first slip, rolled, and completed the follow-through before the second.
With this wicket, Henry extends his streak of taking at least one wicket in an innings to 21, just shy of Southee’s New Zealand record of 33. He finished the day with his 4 wins and 43 losses.
Australia were soon 89-4 before Cam Green (103 not out) and Mitchell Marsh (40) added 67 runs off 77 balls. Apart from them and their opening opponent, no other player reached 20 points as Australia ended the day with 9 for his 279.
Watch Tom Blundell catch Steve Smith in astonishing manner:
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