Ashes 2023

Watch: The T20 World Cup catch given out despite being pressed to the ground, unlike Starc’s | Ashes 2023

by Wisden Staff July 2, 2023 - 9:58am 3 minute read

Watch: Akeal Hosein took a catch during the 2021 T20 World Cup that was given out despite pressing the ball on the ground in a direct contradiction of Mitchell Starc’s denied catch in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

There was controversy on day four of the second Ashes 2023 Test match yesterday (July 1) when third umpire, Marais Erasmus ruled a catch taken by Starc off Ben Duckett as not out. Starc had taken the ball low to the ground on the fine leg boundary after Duckett had miscued a ramp off the back of his bat.

Despite taking the ball cleanly, Starc had used the ball to steady himself as he fell to the ground, pressing it into the grass. As a result, despite protests that Starc had the ball under control, the decision was given as not out.

The decision generated strong reactions from pundits and fans. Glenn McGrath was incensed on radio commentary, saying it was “the biggest load of rubbish he had ever seen.”

The MCC responded to the furore by issuing a statement which said Starc “was still sliding as the ball rubbed the ground, therefore he was not in control of his movement,” justifying the third umpire decision in regard to Law 33.3.

However, a contradictory incident to the implementation of this law can be found in the 2021 T20 World Cup. The West Indies were bowling against England when Hosein took a stunning catch off his own bowling off Jonny Bairstow.

Hosein dived through the air to his left to snaffle the catch in his left hand before falling to the ground. He broke his fall by extending his arm with the ball in his hand underneath him, which meant the ball was pressed briefly into the ground.

The ball was only in contact with the ground briefly before Hosein rolled over and got to his feet to celebrate the wicket. Regardless of the ball being in contact with the floor before Hosein ‘had control of his movement,’ the decision was given as out on-field.

This directly contradicts the decision given on Starc’s catch yesterday which still continues to generate controversy. The debate centres around whether, if the ball is under control, it matters whether it is used to steady a catcher’s movement. Regardless, the decision taken stands and Duckett will resume his innings on 50 on day five.