The Brisbane Heat seamer caught Sydney Sixers' Jordan Silk by throwing the ball back mid-air and jumping over the boundary rope, a decision which has been approved by the lawmakers
Marylebone Cricket Club have confirmed the decision to approve Michael Neser's catch during the Big Bash League match between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers was correct.
Neser caught Jordan Silk's shot on the run by the boundary, released the ball upon jumping over the rope, threw it back into the field of play mid-air and collected the loose ball.
Replays were required to confirm that the Australia seamer had not touched the ground outside of the rope while in contact with the ball, but it was still a decision that left many bemused.
The dismissal of Silk was a key moment in a thrilling BBL encounter on New Year's Day (Russell Freeman/Getty Images)
It occurred at a key juncture of the game. Sixers, chasing 225 at The Gabba, would have required 20 from 10 deliveries had the six been approved. Instead, it left them needing 26 and they would eventually be dismissed for 209.
In a post on Twitter, the MCC directed users to its rules clarifying the laws.
"The key points are: 1) The FIRST contact must be inside the boundary, and 2) the fielder can’t be touching the ball and the ground beyond the boundary at the same time," the club, founded in 1787, said.
The clarification included footage from broadcaster Channel 7 in which Melbourne Stars captain and Australia allrounder Glenn Maxwell explained the decision.
Totally normal sport.#BBL12pic.twitter.com/tMKAGX78N7
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) January 1, 2023
"If he makes the first contact from where he jumped inside the rope, and then when the last contact is made, he back inside the rope it's out," said Maxwell.
"As long as when he threw it up a second time his feet were in the air, the last point of contact has to be back in.
"Effectively, he could throw it up 300 times as long as his feet are in the air."
Glenn Maxwell was immediately on hand to explain the decision (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
A similar incident occurred in 2020 when Heat's Matthew Renshaw palmed the ball to Tom Banton while stationed over the boundary but jumping in the air.
"I knew Renshaw did it a couple of years ago," Neser told Channel 7 on his catch.
"I didn't know if they changed the rules I thought I'd give it a crack and thankfully they didn't change the rule.
"I did know it was a rule but I didn't know if they changed it. I thought I'd give it a try."
Posted by John TIMMINS on 02/01/2023 at 08:15
I am 71 and watched cricket all my life. Especially test matches. Cricket used to be honest and fair to all. When we were kids and somebody did something dishonest we would say "that's not cricket." Unfortunately managers have wrecked all this for money. I don't care who wins the match so long as it is fair and honest. Giving Silk out as being caught in what I saw (and replayed many times) will stop me and my children watching a sport that used to be respected by all. You sure as hell lost me. Sixes probably would not have got the runs anyway but you guys made sour of that.
Posted by Ian Paterson on 01/01/2023 at 23:04
Sounds similar to Kent’s Jordan Cox/Matt Milnes catch of the century, in 2021 Vitality Blast T20 final at Edgbaston, when under floodlights Cox anticipated the trajectory of the airborne ball, ran round and jumped into the air over the boundary and palmed the ball (which was still in a the air over the boundary) back to Milnes, who was inside the boundary. Neither Cox nor ball were in contact with the ground over the boundary at the time of his contact with the ball. Nor was first contact with the ball inside the field of play. Correctly given as out by the on field umpires - no subsequent objection by MCC.
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