WATCH: Hayden Walsh pulls off spectacular stunt near ropes to prevent a six in the CPL
West Indies and Barbados Royals cricketer Hayden Walsh made a memorable attempt at saving a maximum in Match 2 of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021 this Thursday (August 26).
Fielding in the deep on the off-side with the aim to protect the boundaries, Walsh made an excellent diving attempt and avoided a near-certain six off the bat of Dwayne Bravo in the game against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots.
The eye-catching effort is from the 17th over of the Patriots’ innings where Bravo smashed right-arm seamer Thisara Perera’s full-pitched delivery for a flourishing drive in his own flair and style.
Hayden Walsh shows great agility and awarness on the field in CPL 2021
Hayden Walsh pulled off a memorable catch yesterday
For a while, as it was in the air, the ball seemed to be sailing comfortably past the boundary ropes for a maximum to Bravo and Patriots.
But this is where Hayden Walsh left everyone shocked and amazed with unbelievable effort on the ropes.
Timing his jump to perfection, Walsh had both his feet up in the air while he slapped the ball back into the ground.
What was a definite six to the naked eye was reduced into just another two by one of the most special efforts one would ever see on a cricket field.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? IT'S HAYDEN WALSH JR with a @fun88eng Magic Moment. #CPL21 #BRvSKNP #CricketPlayedLouder pic.twitter.com/szgAwPCeHW
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 27, 2021
The amazing thing here is that Walsh repeated his own act on the very next delivery off Bravo’s willow, saving four more runs for his side with another great piece of fielding near the boundary cushion after recognising that he has no chance of taking a grab without momentum taking him past the ropes.
Sadly for Walsh and his team, though, runs saved in the field couldn’t save the day for Royals, who suffered a 21-run loss after managing a total of just 154/7 in response to Patriots’ 175/5.