World Cup Goofups # 1: Catch that was not dropped and not taken either

This World Cup, England was not at its best that it promised to be as per their performances in the matches running up to the main event.

During the event, Englishmen had their part of ups and downs; managing a victory against Proteas and securing a loss from the jaws of victory against the Irish team.

Even their first match in the tournament was equally turbulent. In this incident, Netherlands were batting first and were cruising at under 5 an over and had scored some 140 odd runs in 30 overs. Swann was bowling his 7th over and Ryan ten Doeschate was looking to step on the scoring. He had not yet scored even half of what his eventual score would be. You can only imagine what shame the incident would have brought to the English team had the Irish won the match.

Ryan, looking to score quickly, mis-hit one over the bowlers head. The ball got the elevation but it didn't have the distance. Pieterson and Anderson who were fielding on either side of the bowler (long-on and long-off) started to chase the catch and converged under the ball. Just as they realized each other's proximity; they froze, letting the ball drop right in between them and give the opposition team another of the numerous lives (dropped catches) that were given during the innings.

Ryan went on to score 110 runs in the innings, and Ireland managed to post a score of 292 runs. English had their share of luck and went on to score the target with 8 balls and 6 wickets to spare in the match.