England's Will Jacks pulled off a spectacular, one-handed catch that sent Australian batting mainstay Steve Smith back to the pavilion on the second day of the second Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba. The stunning fielding effort provided a much-needed moment of brilliance for England, who had otherwise endured a frustrating day littered with dropped chances.
A Moment of Magic Amidst Dropped Catches
The remarkable catch occurred in the 57th over of Australia's first innings, bowled by Brydon Carse. Just three balls after Carse had dismissed Cameron Green with a yorker, Smith attempted a pull shot. The ball flew into the air, and Will Jacks, covering significant ground, launched himself and plucked it out of the air with a single outstretched hand. This dismissal of a well-set and dangerous-looking Smith on December 6, 2025, shifted momentum momentarily towards England.
This moment of excellence stood in stark contrast to England's overall fielding performance. Prior to Jacks' intervention, the Ben Stokes-led side had put down five catches during the Australian innings. Just before the screamer, Ben Duckett had dropped Alex Carey at gully off the very first ball of Carse's over.
Commentators and Experts Hail 'Outstanding' Effort
The catch left commentators and former players in awe. Former England captain Michael Vaughan, speaking on BBC Test Match Special, did not hold back his praise. "This is as good of a catch as I've ever seen. Oh my word! It doesn't get any better than that, that's a piece of incredible movement from Will Jacks," Vaughan exclaimed.
Former England wicket-keeper Matt Prior, on TNT Sports, also termed the catch "outstanding." "Will Jacks, take a bow. He had to cover a huge amount of ground and he throws out a claw. It is an outstanding catch," Prior said. However, he also criticised England's missed opportunities, drawing a comparison to the victorious 2010-11 Ashes tour. "Our fielding was on point – it was outstanding, every chance we got, we took. That is the difference in a big series like this," he added.
Former spinner Phil Tufnell, commenting on ABC Sport, rated it among the best seen at the historic venue. "That's a cracker. We've seen some catches here at the Gabba but that's right up there. England back in this now," Tufnell noted.
Impact on the Gabba Test and Series
While Jacks' individual moment of fielding genius provided a highlight reel moment and a crucial breakthrough, the broader narrative of the day remained England's struggle to hold on to chances. The dropped catches potentially added to the total England will need to chase, putting extra pressure on their bowlers. The incident underscores how fielding standards can become a decisive factor in tightly contested series like the Ashes, especially on Australian soil. The catch, however, ensured that the day ended with a reminder of the game-changing potential of exceptional athleticism on the field.
