Stuart Broad was among the swathes who took to social media to express their disbelief after Ben Stokes' sensational catch in England's Cricket World Cup opener against South Africa.
The all-rounder produced a grab described by Sky commentator Nasser Hussain as "one of the greatest catches of all time" to reduce the Proteas to 180 for seven chasing 312 to win.
"One of the greatest catches of all time" 😲 Sensational take by Ben Stokes in the deep as the ball appears destined for the boundary Watch England v South Africa live on Sky Sports Cricket World Cup (404) or follow it here: https://t.co/Ee6tlCZDI6 pic.twitter.com/3LClWr9Es1 — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 30, 2019
Another man who has produced great moments in an England shirt, Broad was among the first to react.
Press Association cricket correspondent Rory Dollard had shared a picture of Broad reacting to another sensational catch by Stokes during the 2015 Ashes series, to which Broad responded: "Genuinely, that was my actual reaction in my lounge."
Genuinely, that was my actual reaction in my lounge. 🤠— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) May 30, 2019
Former England batsman Mark Butcher was equally stunned, tweeting: "Stop it! #stokes" while James Taylor, who played 27 ODIs for England between 2011 and 2015, wrote: "That is incredible!!! As good as you see!"
Stop it! #stokes — mark butcher (@markbutcher72) May 30, 2019 Wow!!!! That is incredible!!! As good as you see! #stokes #ENGvsRSA #cwc19 🔥
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) May 30, 2019
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold tweeted "You can't practise those" adding "One of the best you will ever see" and cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle suggested that day one of the competition may have already produced the catch of the tournament.
Wow... what about that Ben Stokes ... what a catch !!! You can't practise those #CWC19 #ENGvsRSA One of the best you will ever see — Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) May 30, 2019 Stokes inspiring. That's the best I've seen. Ever. — Alex Barrow (@ABarrowCoaching) May 30, 2019 First day of the World Cup and we might have seen the catch of the tournament! #BenStokes — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 30, 2019
England's total of 311 for eight turned out to be more than enough to clinch victory, with South Africa falling 104 runs short in their chase.
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