Queensland wicketkeeper Chris Hartley registers record for 500 catches in Sheffield Shield

Chris Hartley, also the captain for his team Queensland Bulls, registered the prestigious record on Day 3 of an ongoing match against Tasmania.

Queensland wicketkeeper Chris Hartley has become the first player in the history of Sheffield Shield to take 500 catches. For those unaware, Sheffield Shield is Australia’s premier domestic First-Class tournament. Hartley, also the captain for his team Queensland Bulls, registered the prestigious record on Day Three of an ongoing match against Tasmania. In doing so, Hartley has broken the previous record — by Victoria’s Darren Berry with 499 — for most catches. Fittingly, Hartley got to the mark with a stunning catch off Jack Wildermuth’s bowling to dismiss Australia One-Day International (ODI) regular, George Bailey, for five runs. ALSO READ: Sheffield Shield: Pink cricket ball with black seam to be used

While the record for 500 catches is huge in itself, Hartley has to put in some serious effort to catch up with Berry’s overall dismissal number of 546, as noted by cricket.com.au. Hartley has an impressive 514 dismissals to his name at present, but will seek to break the record that beckons.

Berry was prompt in wishing luck to Hartley as the latter set out to surpass the tally. “Good luck Harts … fantastic servant for Queensland,” Berry tweeted. “Every record is made to be broken,” Berry added.

It was earlier in this very season when Hartley surpassed the record held by Wade Seccombe to claim Queensland’s First-Class record for most catches. Hartley is also an efficient batsman and in the ongoing match scored an unbeaten 68 in Queensland’s first innings total of 376 runs.