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Steve Smith's Catch Was The Only Thing That Overshadowed His Century Against New Zealand

Steve Smith, stop it. Just stop it.

Steve Smith is Australia's best cricketer. That's no shock to anyone. But on a day when he smashed a century to set up a 68-run win over New Zealand, it's not his batting that stood out most.

The captain put on a show in Australia's one-day win at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday with a superb 164 off just 157 balls. But it was this catch to remove BJ Watling off the bowling of Mitch Marsh that put Smith at the top of the highlight reel.

Watling had done more than enough to send a poor, short-pitched ball from Marsh careering towards the deep point boundary. Because a shot like that goes for four runs. It doesn't get caught by the gully. Especially from where Smith was standing.

But the skipper reacted instinctively, and with his full left arm outstretched he took the ball at the very limit of his wingspan. To the extent that he landed on his face -- and still held the catch.

Watch it again. And again.

This catch is done no justice by any superlative. Ripper? It was better. Classic? Too good for that. Best ever? Maybe, maybe not, but it inspires that kind of conversation.

For instance, it's more reflexively brilliant than Glenn McGrath's belter in the deep.

And he covers ground quickly on par with Adam Dale's flying outfield magic in state cricket.

It's the kind of catch that, much like Chris Lynn's screamer in the IPL, had you asking: how the hell did.....?!?

Yes, Smith's catch is in this class. Perhaps the only effort to surpass his belongs not to a cricketer, but a football commentator.

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