PAUL Collingwood took a stunning catch to dismiss Ricky Ponting on the opening day of the third Ashes Test in Perth.

Here, Northern Echo Sport takes a look back at some of the outstanding catches to have highlighted recent battles between England and Australia.

MARK WAUGH CATCHES MARK BUTCHER

FIRST TEST, BRISBANE, 1998

MARK Butcher had already made the century that got England back into the opening Test by the time he was removed, but the wicket was no less satisfactory for Waugh, who made a leaping, one-handed catch to his right off his own bowling.

MICHAEL SLATER CATCHES MARK BUTCHER

FOURTH TEST, MELBOURNE, 1998

THERE was no athletic leap, no stunning dive. Just lightning quick reactions.

Slater was at forward short leg as Butcher faced Stuart MacGill in the second innings. The England man went for a powerful sweep straight at Slater, who had milliseconds to react. The natural reaction was surely self-preservation, but Slater somehow came out holding the ball.

ADAM GILCHRIST CATCHES MARCUS TRESCOTHICK

THIRD TEST, NOTTINGHAM, 2001

GILCHRIST made his mark in 2001 not with his gloves but his bat, his contributions as a swashbuckling number seven helping carry the matches away from England.

But he will also be remembered for his brilliant catch in the decisive third Test at Trent Bridge.

Trescothick’s well-struck sweep off Shane Warne was unfortunate to strike Matthew Hayden on the leg, spooning up in the air. The ever-alert Gilchrist leapt forward to make a diving catch.

ANDREW STRAUSS CATCHES ADAM GILCHRIST

FOURTH TEST, NOTTINGHAM, 2005

IN a thrilling series of cricket in which England finally ended 16 years of hurt to reclaim the Ashes, Strauss’ diving removal of Gilchrist at Trent Bridge earned the tag ‘‘the abiding image of the summer’’. The future England captain dived low to his left to catch a fastmoving ball that was almost behind him by the time he got a palm on it. England went on to win the match by seven wickets, taking a 2-1 series lead they would hold on to at the Oval.

PAUL COLLINGWOOD CATCHES RICKY PONTING

THIRD TEST, PERTH, 2010

PAUL Collingwood has long been associated with stunning catches, but his most notable effort against Australia had previously been the take of Matthew Hayden in the one-dayer in Bristol in 2005.

Born at Shotley Bridge, Collingwood finally made one at Test level in Perth, leaping athletically to take a wonderful one-handed catch at third slip, and pile the pressure on wobbling Australia with the removal of their captain.