During a recent league match between Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat, there was a play that could be described as sensational and a little bit controversial at the same time. Batsman Jordan Silk hit bowler Mark Steketee toward the long off boundary during the Sixers’ batting innings.
Read More: Cricket Laws in question as umpires declare this controversial catch as “out”
When Michael Neser, who was fielding at the boundary, intervened, the ball appeared to be headed for a six. He caught the ball in the first attempt after leaping forward to take the catch. He looped the ball in the air again and jumped to catch it for the second time in the air after realising that his momentum was carrying him past the boundary line. He had the ball in his hand, but he was already in the air and about to touch the ground. He therefore threw the ball in the air a second time outside the boundary line, where it landed inside the ropes and was caught.
ICC explains the umpire’s decision of resulting the incident as “OUT”
Law 19.5.2 states: “A fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if his/her final contact with the ground, before his/her first contact with the ball after it has been delivered by the bowler, was not entirely within the boundary.”
It is important to note that as long as the fielder’s first touch of the ball is inside the boundary line, they are allowed to finish the catch however they like, provided their feet are not grounded with the ball over the boundary.
Neser’s initial contact with the ball, the timing of his jump and the eventual catch were all within the laws of the game, the batter was correctly declared out.
👏 Quite a few questions have emerged following this outstanding bit of fielding in the @BBL.@Gmaxi_32 provides expert commentary as to why this indeed was Out.
See here for the Law: https://t.co/A1dNCFU9vo#MCCLawspic.twitter.com/OppIx2ufa6
— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) January 1, 2023
