The simplest, yet greatest, catch
Mike Selvey, writing in The Guardian, recalls Brian Close's act of courage against Gary Sobers at The Oval, where he refused to flinch at the prospect of a full-blooded hook headed his way at short leg
ESPNcricinfo staff
17-Sep-2015
Mike Selvey, writing in The Guardian, recalls Brian Close's act of courage against Gary Sobers at The Oval, where he refused to flinch at the prospect of a full-blooded hook headed his way at short leg.
Caught Close, bowled Snow 0, reads the scorebook, and how little such a simple line can convey of what it took. As Sobers' blade whirled its intent has there ever been anyone who would not have ducked, dived for cover, turned away, covered up, or flinched? Honestly? Close was impassive. He did not blink or move a muscle. There is no one else who could have taken that catch, in that way. So the question can be repeated: is it possible for the greatest catch also to be the simplest? I think it can.