Australia went head-to-head against Ireland in the 31st match of the 20-20 World Cup 2022 at The Gabba, Brisbane. Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia lost their opener, David Warner, cheaply once again as he returned to the pavilion having scored just 3 off 7 balls. During the Australian innings, an incredible fielding effort by Barry McCarthy on the long-on boundary went viral on social media.
The incident took place on the second ball of the 14th over bowled by Mark Adair. Marcus Stoinis smashed a slower delivery outside off which went high into the night sky and it looked like it will easily cross the boundary. Barry McCarthy, who was stationed at long-on jumped to his full height to grab hold of the ball. However, the momentum was carrying him over the boundary line. McCarthy showed great presence of mind and quickly got rid of the ball before he fell over the boundary.
Matthew Wade and Adam Zampa in the Australian camp were awestruck by the incredible effort and applauded McCarthy. Once the replays confirmed that he had saved four runs for his team, the entire stadium rose and applauded McCarthy’s acrobatic fielding.
Watch the video here:
Just superb from Barry McCarthy! Superman stuff. #AUSvIRE #cricket #T20WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/UKrapMRMs8
— Utsav Amitendu Agarwal (@utsavamitendu) October 31, 2022
Australia posted 179/5 in the first innings
Apart from his heroics in the field, McCarthy also ended up as the pick of the bowlers from Ireland as he picked up three wickets for 29 runs in his four overs. He picked up the prized scalps of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh.
Apart from McCarthy, Joshua Little also picked up two wickets for 21 runs in his four-over-spell. Australia finished their innings 179/5 at the end of their allotted 20 overs. Captain Aaron Finch top-scored for his side scoring 63 off 44 balls smashing five fours and three sixes in his innings.
Finch got good support from Marcus Stoinis who scored 35 off 25 balls. Finch and Stoinis added 70 runs for the fourth wicket off 36 balls.
Meanwhile, McCarthy’s fielding went viral all over social media in no time. Here’s how Twitter reacted to Barry McCarthy’s effort:
I want to be Barry McCarthy when I grow up #AUSvIRE #T20WorldCup #BackingGreen
— Seán Marum (@SeanMarum) October 31, 2022
Superman Barry McCarthy ?#AUSvsIRE pic.twitter.com/jSbEhLElLz
— ?????_10?? (@AzeemAwan44) October 31, 2022
Barry McCarthy – Superman ?
One of the best fielding efforts you will ever see ?#AUSvIRE #T20WorldCup #BackingGreen ??? @cricketworldcup ?? pic.twitter.com/EoqWeZJVVa
— ???? ?????? (@BhimannaPoojari) October 31, 2022
It's a good thing Barry McCarthy isn't Australian – would we call him Bazza or Macca? #T20WorldCup
— Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) October 31, 2022
Asif Ali remember the name Barry McCarthy…this is how you field at the boundary line #AUSvsIRE pic.twitter.com/C4EV4LJGbA
— Noyan Net Run Rate (@Irr_Baya) October 31, 2022
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Barry McCarthy!
Take a bow ??— Jackson Dass Antony (@AJacksonDass) October 31, 2022
The ability of players in the field never fails to amaze. One of the best pieces of work from Barry McCarthy. #T20WorldCup
— Harrison Burridge (@hburridge2) October 31, 2022
Ireland's Barry McCarthy just topped that Ben Stokes flying boundary catch/save.
Did it all with his left hand. INCREDIBLE effort. #IREvAUS #ICCT20WorldCup https://t.co/hUoyMyVgaU
— Sam Mathad (@sameermathad) October 31, 2022
that piece of fielding from barry mccarthy matches what stokes did in canberra a few weeks ago
— arsee. (@dream24ifiedx) October 31, 2022
