Australia skipper shows why he's one of the safest pair of hands in the game with a couple of superb grabs on opening day in Colombo
Smith screamers raise the bar for slips fielding
Steve Smith has already proven he's no stranger to a classic catch, but the Australian skipper took things up a notch on the opening day of his side's three-day tour match in Colombo.
Smith threatened to steal the limelight from Test hopeful Steve O'Keefe at P Sara Stadium with a pair of screamers that were only missing an 'AWWWW WHATTA CATCH' from the legendary Bill Lawry.
NSW Blues duo O'Keefe and Smith – fielding at first slip – combined for three dismissals in the Sri Lankan Board XI's total of 229, the first of which came via a clever piece of anticipation that drew immediate comparisons with a controversial grab back in 2014.
During a one-day international against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, Smith completed a similar piece of brilliance to catch Fawad Alam off Xavier Doherty's left-arm orthodox.
Confusion ensued among many in the cricket world not aware that the ICC Match Officials were working to a new set of playing conditions.
Quick Single: Smith grabs sparks Abu Dhabi controversy
There was no such confusion on this occasion as Asela Gunarathna was sent on his way for a fighting 58, with his departure sparking a mini collapse of 3-2 in the space of six balls and helping to ignite O'Keefe's sixth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket,
"It was a complete surprise to me," a grateful O'Keefe told reporters after play on Monday. "But he's just got a great cricket brain.
"He saw the batter go down early and anticipated and not only did he not have to stretch for it he took it on the chest.
"That's how good he is."
Smith later added to his ever-growing reel of fielding highlights with a reflex diving catch to dismiss Sri Lankan allrounder Dasun Shanaka and hand O'Keefe his fourth wicket of the day.
"Having someone like that who can anticipate or predict it fills you with confidence and particularly when they were building a bit of a partnership to bag your first one like that helps you relax a little bit," O'Keefe said.
"Not only that catch he took another screamer towards the end of play so it's good knowing he's in there – a safe set of hands."
The pair joined forces once again for the final wicket of the innings, but it was pretty boring in comparison to be honest.