Understanding the Decision: ICC Explains Why Mitchell Starc’s Catch Wasn’t Given Out in the Ashes 2023

The Controversial Catch That Divided Opinions in the Second Ashes Test

Cricket can often leave us scratching our heads and debating the intricacies of its laws. In a recent incident during the second Ashes Test between England and Australia, a catch by Mitchell Starc stirred up quite a controversy.

The Incident:

With England’s fate hanging in the balance late on day four, batter Ben Duckett miscued a shot to fine leg. Starc swiftly dived to his left and seemingly took a clean catch. However, as he completed his slide, he dragged the ball along the ground.

Duckett started making his way back to the pavilion, assuming he was out. But TV umpire Marais Erasmus had a different view and ruled him not out.

The Laws of Cricket:

To understand why this decision sparked such heated debate, we need to delve into cricket’s complex rulebook. Section 33 states that “the striker is out caught if the ball is subsequently held by a fielder as a fair catch before it touches the ground.” The key lies in whether Starc had complete control over both the ball and his own movement when it made contact with the ground.

A tweet from cricket’s governing body – Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) – clarified their support for Erasmus’ decision based on Law 33.3, which emphasizes the fielder’s control over the ball and their own movement.

Australia vs. England Commentary Clash:

Unsurprisingly, this contentious call divided opinions among former players in the commentary box. Glenn McGrath, a former Australian bowler, expressed his outrage at what he considered a “regulation catch.”

“If that is not out,” McGrath exclaimed, “then every other catch that has ever been taken should not be out. That is a disgrace!”

Meanwhile, Phil Tufnell dared to disagree with McGrath and commented that although Starc had control of the ball initially, he should have used the back of his hand to run it along the ground instead of dragging it.

This clash continued as Michael Vaughan initially thought it was a clean catch but later sided with Erasmus’ decision based on rules being rules.

The Aftermath:

The controversial catch triggered strong reactions from both teams involved. Australia appeared visibly angry after seeing the decision displayed on the big screen. Captain Pat Cummins engaged in an extended discussion with the on-field umpires while Marnus Labuschagne stood bewildered with his arms wide open.

Nathan Lyon, an Australian spinner who opted not to share his personal opinion due to cricket’s rule about completing catches properly remarked: “I am not going to give you my opinion because it doesn’t matter.”

In contrast, Marcus Trescothick – England’s batting coach – admitted confusion regarding catching rules and stated: “I don’t think we really understand them properly.” He emphasized that proper control over both ball and body until completion remains vital in making fair decisions.

In Conclusion:

Catches might seem straightforward at first glance, but cricket’s intricate laws and subjective interpretations can turn a seemingly simple catch into a divisive topic of debate. As fans and players continue to grapple with these complexities, one thing is for certain – the controversy surrounding Starc’s catch will not be forgotten anytime soon.