WATCH, CPL 2024 | Ryan John thrown for loop as Alick Athanze overcomes gravity culminating to a stunner

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

09/18/2024

Many talented people have found their way into franchise leagues, and some of them seize the chance to show off their abilities. Similarly, Alick Athanze made a spectacular diving catch during the Barbados Royals vs. St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots Caribbean Premier League game at Barbados.

‌Beginning with openers Andre Fletcher and Evin Lewis, who took the scorecard to 16/0 in three overs, the visitors made a cautious start with the bat. But in the fourth over, Lewis was dismissed by Naveen-ul-Haq, ending their opening stand. When Kyle Mayer left right before the powerplay, providing St. Kitts an early boost, the concern persisted. Rakheem Cornwall showed off his skill with the ball by scalping Mikyle Louis and Fletcher in back-to-back deliveries. Following the departure of Rilee Rossouw in the ninth over, Cornwall made another breakthrough, taking Wanindu Hasaranaga out of the crease. After grabbing a wicket off of Obed McCoy, the Caribbean took a fifer when he removed Ryan John for his maiden five-wicket haul.

In the 14th over, Cornwall bowled a looping delivery outside the off stump on the second ball. However, John struggled to properly judge the trajectory of the ball while attempting to hit it with a slog-sweep. Moreover, his shot was poorly timed, resulting in a high-flying white ball landing near the square of deep mid-wicket. In the meantime, Athanze sprinted from deep mid-wicket and tried to catch it. He underestimated the catch at first and it seemed like he would drop it. However, he remained composed, lifting his right palm to catch an outstanding one-handed catch before falling.

What a stunner!