On Tuesday, a magnificent catch was made all through England A’s current warm-up match versus South Africa at Canterbury’s St Lawrence Ground. On the first day of the four-day match, England bowler Craig Overton produced a back-of-length ball to the South African captain. Dean Elgar attempted to play his shot on the front foot but was pushed to the side. The ball was languishing between wicketkeeper Billings and the first slip when the former performed a quick dive to his left and snagged it just before it hit the ground.
And in the meantime, South Africa finished Day 1 with a total of 282/6, with Khaya Zondo and Kyle Verreynne already at the crease. Rassie van der Dussen had previously played an excellent knock of 75 runs before being bowled out by fast bowler Ollie Robinson.
Cricket England also posted a video of the same on their Official Twitter handle:
In relation to Elgar’s departure, fast bowler Craig Overton struck a back-of-length delivery as the left-handed batter attempted to play a front-foot shot. However, the ball took the edge of the bat and sailed towards the yawning chasm between wicketkeeper Billings and the first slip. Billings dunked pretty fast to his left as the ball was just about to hit the ground, completing an outstanding catch.
Here’s the video:
What a grab @sambillings 🤯
South Africa are 99/2 at lunch.
Watch the Lions live stream ➡️ https://t.co/eKhexN9yGH pic.twitter.com/KXAMhEMxvB
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 9, 2022
Just after a four-day warm-up match, England and South Africa would therefore play a three-match Test series beginning on August 17 at Lord’s in London. The second match begins on August 25 at Old Trafford in Manchester, with the teams returning to London for the third game, which begins on September 8 at the Kennington Oval. Both teams begin the Test series with six white-ball matches. Although the three-match ODI series ended in a 1-1 draw after rain ruined the deciding game, South Africa won the multiple-match T20I series 2-1 despite having lost the opener.
To be certain, England has already been playing well in the lengthiest format of the game recently. They earlier defeated New Zealand in a Test series before defeating India in a postponed Test match to balance the series. The home team will also expect to win against South Africa.