Expert tips for $100k catch

Michael Morton demonstrates the perfect stretch, grab and hold when he catches a six at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Photo / Christine Cornege

Where to be for your best chance of winning the big prize at tomorrow's Eden Park ODI

A former Black Cap who took one of the greatest catches in cricket history says those wanting the best chance to snare a one-handed $100,000 should sit at deep mid-wicket.

Catching a six at Black Caps ODI and T20 matches has taken on new meaning this summer since a Tui promotion has seen many try - but just two succeed - in taking a one-handed catch for the cash prize.

Mathew Sinclair pulled off a miraculous catch when fielding at deep mid-wicket. He ran, dived and at full stretch with his left hand hauled in a screaming pull shot off Mathew Hayden at Melbourne in 2004.

Sinclair, who played 54 ODIs for New Zealand, had simple advice: "Just back yourself and keep your eye on the ball - and make sure you've got the orange shirt on."

Asked where he would sit if he was a spectator at tomorrow's match against India at Eden Park he said: "Definitely cow corner [mid-wicket].

"It gives you the options of guys swinging across the line and giving you the most arc to hit the ball out of the park," he said.

"But the way these boys are hitting it, it is going everywhere - so everyone is in with a chance."

Cricket writer Andrew Alderson said the short Eden Park boundaries straight down the ground were also a good bet.

"Players will be tempted to tee off for those backyard-length straight boundaries, so a spot 15m-20m wide of the sight screens on the lower tier might be a sound punt," Alderson said.

"Alternatively, if you're prepared to wait for a left-hander like Jesse Ryder or Corey Anderson, go for a cow-corner swipe to the middle of the old terraces. [Black Cap Corey] Anderson might even be capable of whacking it into the upper tier of the West Stand.

"Wherever you go, stick close to the front of the stand and stay away from other orange-shirted poachers who might spoil your six-figures with a drunken snatch."

Waikato University statistics lecturer Dr Bob Durrant said if 2000 people of a 40,000-strong Eden Park crowd were wearing the correct Tui regalia there might be a one in 20 chance of someone being in the right place. "If there are five big sixes then the chance of at least one success works out to about 1 in 20."

Video: Cricket fan catches $100,000

Jatinder Singh, who caught Corey Anderson's six at Seddon Park on Wednesday, said "just be relaxed ... and have soft hands".

Michael Morton, who caught a six off Kieran Powell when the Black Caps played the West Indies at Seddon Park two weeks ago, said his only advice was "to be ready".

"It happens really quick, the ball's in the air, then you catch it."