Glenn Maxwell defied gravity on Wednesday night to pull off an early catch-of-the-year contender.
The Melbourne Stars would go on to claim a five-wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat, thanks in part to Maxwell’s moment of brilliance at the Gabba.
The Stars have endured a torrid start to the season, losing all five of their opening fixtures, but got their 2025 off to a flying start – quite literally.
Despite being dismissed for a duck himself, Maxwell showcased his acrobatics skills jumping high into the air to stop Will Prestwidge’s monster six from crossing the boundary.
The former Aussie Test star, who was over the boundary when he first made contact with the ball, sent the stadium into delirium, throwing the ball back into the air and over the boundary before recovering the ball.
While there have been plenty of special catches during the Big Bash this summer, including a duo of spectacular takes from Jordan Silk earlier this week, commentators were left aghast at the moment, with one likening Maxwell, 36, to LeBron James.
Glenn Maxwell pulled off a remarkable catch in the Big Bash League on Wednesday as the Melbourne Stars sealed victory against the Brisbane Heat
Maxwell caught a huge shot from Will Prestwidge in mid air before throwing the ball back over the boundary to take the catch
‘What about this from Maxwell,’ the Fox Cricket commentator said.
‘Unbelievable, we’ve seen some incredible stuff this summer but that is the catch of the year.
‘Maxwell like LeBron James!’
Another commentator went as far as saying: ‘That’s the best catch I’ve ever seen in the Big Bash.’
Fans took note of Maxwell’s reaction to the catch on X, with one writing: ‘It’s the fact that he is so nonchalant with it.’
‘Outstanding,’ another said, one said: ‘Take a bow!’
Maxwell would impressively take four catches in the match, also dismissing Tom Banton, Matt Renshaw and Paul Walter.
But there was a bizarre moment during the beginning of the innings, with Maxwell, who was mic’d up, asking Ben Duckett and Sam Harper to stand back-to-back following a ‘very important discussion’.
He revealed that the team had discussed putting Duckett at second slip but jokingly had some reservations that the ball would fly over his head.
‘We were trying to decide who was going to be a slip,’ he told Channel 7.
‘Ducky [Duckett] said: “Yeah I’ve done some slipping.”
Maxwell, who took four catches in the match, strode away nonchalantly, after dismissing Prestwidge
Fans on social media marvelled at the insane feat, with one writing: ‘Awesome hands. Take a bow!
Maxwell was subsequently involved in a ‘very important’ discussion with Ben Duckett and Sam Harper about who was taller, with the pair (left and right) standing back to back
He claimed the England batter was the taller of the pair, with Duckett walking away laughing at the moment
‘But I was like: “Mate at the Gabba they’re probably going to go over your head.”
Duckett was heard replying: ‘That’s a low blow!’
Maxwell was stood between Duckett and Harper and added: ‘Tell you what I feel enormous next to these two.’
He was asked who was taller out of the pair, before saying: ‘Duckett wears platforms, so I reckon it’s Harps.’
The debate continued with Maxwell hilariously calling Duckett and Harper to stand back-to-back.
He subsequently decided Duckett was the taller out of the pair.
Brisbane would go on to put up a score of 149-7, with Max Bryant hitting an unbeaten 77.
But the Stars had outclassed their opponents in the opening innings with Dan Lawrence and captain Marcus Stoinis both hitting 64 and 62 respectively to seal victory, while Duckett, who opened the batting, was dismissed for a duck.
