Men’s T20 World Cup: Most Catches as a Fielder in a Tournament
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is one of the biggest cricket tournaments, featuring talents from all world cricket-playing countries. Yes, such sensational explosiveness in batting and similarly smart work in bowling seize the audience’s attention, but the efforts of the fielders cannot be missed either. Good fielding can win a match for the team, so it is an important facet of the game. Bright catches can change the complexion of a game. As it appeared with other records linked to the T20 World Cup, one more takes the title for ‘Most catches in a single tournament.’
During the newly formulated 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament, Sri Lankan team captain Dasun Shanaka set a record for the maximum number of catches a fielder takes. They can safely say that their player took nine catches in 8 matches, summing up his ability to read and respond to the ball in time and secure it without any fuss:
| Most catches (fielder) | Dasun Shanaka | 9 | 8 | 2022 |
| Mike Hussey | 8 | 7 | 2010 | |
| Calum MacLeod | 2021 | |||
| Steven Smith | 2021 | |||
| David Warner | 2010 |
Sri Lanka – Dasun Shanaka (2022)
The 2022 T20 World Cup saw Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka herald his bat as the fielding maestro, claiming 9 catches across 8 games, the highest by a non-wicketkeeper in any given edition. With his safe hands and strong reflexes, especially in the outfield, he could easily turn a game for Sri Lanka with his showmanship.
Australia – Mike Hussey (2010)
In taking 8 catches in 7 matches during the 2010 T20 World Cup, Mike Hussey exemplified fielding excellence. With his agility and commitment to the cause on the field, Hussey’s safe hands were glittering for Australia in the final chase. His level of experience and anticipation turned him into a reliable fielder under pressure and thus contributed much to his side besides batting.
Scotland – Calum MacLeod (2021)
Calum MacLeod was the apparent front-runner as Scotland’s star fielder at the T20 World Cup in 2021. Very few catches have been counted, but his qualification is justified by the formidable influence he had as a fielder throughout the tournament. MacLeod’s awareness and safe catches in both deep and inner circles helped Scotland lift their head above the water on the global stage.
Australia – Steven Smith (2021)
In the T20 World Cup held in the year 2021, Steve Smith contributed handsomely with his swift fielding skills, albeit his prime was much more of a batsman. Though exact statistics are scant, Smith’s immaculate anticipation, particularly at slip and short cover, proved fruitful for Australia to break-conceive some very important dismissals. His ability to catch under reduced limits, low set, made him an important cog in that Australian defensive wheel.
Australia – David Warner (2010)
David Warner shone during the 2010 tournament with breathtaking fielding efforts, taking air catches that changed the game. Usually stationed in high-action zones, like slip and long-off, athleticism combined with nonchalant confidence ensured Warner seldom let his team down during the awesome task of securing the elusive dismissal. His overall presence transcended energies to propel Australia into the final.
Dasun Shanaka, for instance, took nine catches in 8 matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 to set the record high for developing fielders to emulate. Another example is his role in the field; he is not batting and non-pitching, but an individual’s contribution as a fielder can pull his team through a game.
Until the T20 World Cup changes any further, having such fielders like Shanaka around a team will always be important. Thanks to him, many more records make him a worthy winner that will assure others of more tournaments to be fielded. It is a unique art of performance.
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