Watch: 'Flying' Steve Smith takes stunning diving catch to send back Nitish Kumar in MLC 2024
Published - 15 Jul 2024, 03:43 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 05:46 AM
![Steve Smith catch](https://static.cricketaddictor.com/images/2024/SteveSmithcatch.webp?q=80)
Australia superstar Steve Smith is currently plying his trade for Washington Freedom in the ongoing second season of the Major League Cricket (MLC).
The tournament marked his return to competitive cricket as a player after a long time. Steve Smith had not played a competitive game since the Christchurch Test against New Zealand in March. He did not play in the IPL as he was not picked up by any franchise in the auction but he did ply his trade as a commentator. The right-handed batsman was also not a part of Australia's squad for the T20 World Cup last month.
He finally returned to action earlier this month in the ongoing MLC 2024. The former Australia skipper has looked in good touch with the bat so far. And on Sunday (July 14), he once again showed that he is still one of the sharpest fielders in the game as he pulled off a stunning catch during the game between Washington Freedom and Los Angeles Knight Riders.
On the second ball of the 11th over, Glenn Maxwell bowled a flighted delivery on the pads to Nitish Kumar and the Knight Riders batter decided to hit the ball through the mid-wicket area. However, the USA batter failed to keep his shot down and paid a price for it as Steve Smith came up with a brilliant effort to catch the ball and send him back.
Watch the catch from Steve Smith:
📽️ | An absolute screamer ft. Steve Smith 🤩#MLC2024 #FreedomExpress #LAKRvWF | @MLCricket | @stevesmith49 pic.twitter.com/scmsyW1591
— Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) July 14, 2024
Talking about the game, Washington Freedom thrashed the Knight Riders by 8 wickets. Asked to bat first, the Knight Riders were bowled out for just 129 runs. At one stage, they were reeling at 89 for 8 before the lower-order players guided them to a respectable total.
Saif Badar (35) top-scored for his side and was also the only Knight Riders batter to reach the 30-run mark. For Washington Freedom, Saurabh Netravalkar picked up 4 wickets while Glenn Maxwell claimed 3. Chasing 130 runs. Washington chased down the total in 16 overs by losing just two wickets. Travis Head was the top-scorer, scoring 54 while Steve Smith scored an unbeaten 42.