WATCH: Brody Couch takes one-handed stunner against Sydney Thunder in BBL 2022-23 opener

The 2022 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) kicked off in style when Melbourne Stars locked horns with Sydney Thunder in the tournament opener in Canberra on Tuesday. Stars substitute fielder Brody Couch took a stunning catch in the second innings and the New Zealand speedster Trent Boult had a memorable debut in BBL.

Boult needed just two balls to make his mark in this competition, taking two wickets in his maiden fixture. The Stars were bundled out for 122 by Thunder, but they took the match to the last ball with the brilliance of their bowling.

Boult’s two early strikes set the tone, with Couch taking a crazy juggling catch to eliminate opener, Matt Gilkes, for a duck. But it was his second catch that took everyone’s attention toward him when bowler Chris Green danced down the pitch and spanked Beau Webster.

Watch it here:

Brody Couch took 'specialist fielder' to a new level last night! #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/yejYidiSF1

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 14, 2022

He’s just a world-class bowler: Adam Zampa

“Oh my goodness gracious me! Brody Couch! One of the most spectacular catches you’ll ever see in a clutch moment. And he’s the sub fielder and he’s taken two of the more memorable catches in BBL history,” Channel 7 commentator Alister Nicholson.

Boult’s first spell was very tidy as he conceded only 11 runs and took two wickets and in his second spell, he netted only 10 runs, five runs each in his last two overs, and finished with a spell of 2/21 at the end of his quota of 4 overs.

They might not pick the points from this match,  but Stars captain Adam Zampa knew what impact the 33-year-old gun had made.

“He’s just a world-class bowler. He was so good to have out there, to bounce ideas off. He’s just so clear with what he wanted which is what you need as a captain. I love having him in the team,” Zampa told reporters.

The next match of the tournament will be played between Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers on Wednesday, December 14.