The Australians were left fuming after a controversial disallowed catch handed England opener Ben Duckett a massive reprieve late on day four of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
England was 4-113 in the fourth innings when Duckett, who had just brought up his seventh Test fifty, attempted to steer Cameron Green’s bouncer over the slips cordon, instead guiding the ball towards Mitchell Starc at deep fine leg.
The 33-year-old held onto a superb catch near the boundary rope, celebrating with his teammates as Duckett begrudgingly walked towards the sheds. However, on-field umpires called him back after third official Marais Erasmus intervened, adjudicating the catch had not been clean.
Replays showed the Dukes ball sliding across the grass after Starc claimed the catch — unlike Green’s contentious grab from the recent World Test Championship final against India, there were no fingers underneath the ball, with Starc’s palm facing down.
Starc looked utterly dumbfounded when the not out verdict was handed down, with Australian captain Pat Cummins seeking an explanation from the umpires.
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Law 33.3 states that a catch is only completed once the fielder has total control over the ball and their own movement. As explained by the MCC on Twitter, because Starc was still sliding as the ball rubbed the ground, Erasmus deemed that he was not in control of his movement.
“I must admit, I’m a little bit confused,” former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said on Sky Sports commentary.
“Where are they judging when and how the ball is under control?”
Regardless, the incident inevitably sparked debate within the cricket community, with Australian legend Glenn McGrath venting his frustration on BBC Test Match Special.
“That is the biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever seen,” McGrath said.
“He has got that ball under control … if that is not out, then every other catch that’s ever been taken should not be out.
“That is a disgrace.”
Meanwhile, former Australian captain Aaron Finch called it a “shocking decision” on Channel 9.
“For a guy who’s six foot five to make good ground like that, get your hands around it, slide on your knees and get up in one motion., I’d say that you’re pretty well in control of your body,” Finch argued.
Former Test batter Callum Ferguson continued: “There’s very few moments where you’ll see a cleaner catch than what we saw from Mitchell Starc. Look at how clean he’s caught that ball.
“I think there’s a significant issue with our rules and perhaps the terminology of our Laws if we’re coming to the conclusion that that’s not out in our game.
“That’s got to be out. Either the umpire has got it completely wrong or the Laws of the game aren’t right.”
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Chasing a record target of 371 for victory, England was 4-114 at stumps on day four, with captain Ben Stokes (29*) and Duckett (50*) unbeaten overnight.
Starc claimed two wickets on Saturday evening, removing England opener Zak Crawley and vice-captain Ollie Pope during a fierce spell with the swinging Dukes ball. Earlier, Green dropped a tough chance off Starc’s bowling at gully, giving Duckett an extra life in the first over of England’s run chase.