Mitchell Starc’s dropped catch against South Africa in the 2023 World Cup shows why his controversial effort against England at Lord’s in the 2023 Ashes was correctly ruled out, according to MCC head of cricket Fraser Stewart.

Starc’s World Cup spill came in a sloppy fielding effort by the Aussies, with his miss immediately following a misfield and another chance let go two balls later in the 49th over. The left-arm seamer put down David Miller near the boundary, making good ground to get to a top-edge, but with the ball popping out of his hands as his elbows hit the turf.

There were echoes of another Starc boundary effort, when he initially clung on to a chance offered by Ben Duckett, only to press the ball into the turf as he slid, before he had gained full control of his own movement.

There was controversy at the time, with Glenn McGrath the most vocal critic of the decision. “I’m sorry, that is the biggest load of rubbish I have ever seen,” he said. “He has got that ball under control. That ball is under control. I’m sorry, I’ve seen everything this game has to offer. If that is not out, then every other catch that’s ever been taken should be not out. That is a disgrace. I’ve seen everything now. I cannot believe that. If that ball is not under control, that is ridiculous. He’s got that well under control in two hands. I have seen everything now.”

Starc’s Ashes ‘catch’ was correctly ruled out as per the Laws of Cricket, and Stewart felt that this latest error showed why it was right for the law to be written as it is currently. “That drop from Starc shows why his ‘catch that wasn’t’ at Lord’s was correctly not out,” he said on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s harder to hold onto the ball with the palms facing upwards. He tried to do it lawfully, but couldn’t hang onto it as his elbows hit the ground.”

That drop from Starc shows why his "catch that wasn't" at Lord's was correctly not out. It's harder to hold onto the ball with the palms facing upwards. He tried to do it lawfully, but couldn't hang onto it as his elbows hit the ground. Agree @glennmcgrath11?

— Fraser Stewart (@FraserStewart27) October 12, 2023

He then tagged McGrath, asking if he agreed.

South Africa finished with 311-7, Starc following his drop with an exceptional double-wicket maiden to close out the innings.

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