Sydney: The catches near the boundary rope are breathtaking, especially when the fielders have found a way to keep the ball in the playing field by throwing it in the air (when off-balance), then jump outside the playing arena and hopping oneself back into the field of play to latch onto the ball to complete a catch.
However, Josh Lalor’s catch to dismiss Cameron White during the Big Bash League on Saturday has generated a solid debate on Twitter regarding its legibility. The incident occurred during the Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars game on Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
While the Melbourne Stars were cruising towards the win, needing 107 runs to win, their skipper Cameron White slogged one in the air in the direction of long-on. The ball looked good to cross the boundary rope for a six. But Josh Lalor delivered a lesson in ‘balancing on the boundary rope’, which the umpire thought was legal enough and gave White out.
OUT! What a catch from Josh Lalor! Juggles it over the rope then throws it up to himself. Great stuff. LIVE: http://t.co/md30MXZ5TR #BBL04
— Big Bash League (@BigBashLeague) January 17, 2015#ridicucatch alert Great agile fielding from Lalor. Incredible boundary catch #topcatch https://t.co/kuydRyCQxG #BBL #BBL04
— Jack Mendel (@JackMendel4) January 17, 2015For a closer look, have a look at this one.
While Melbourne Stars won the game thanks to Kevin Pietersen’s 67 off 42 balls, the catch has generated a huge debate.
That's not out!! U can't jump from over the rope to take the catch! The rule has changed, otherwise u can catch one 20m back from the rope!
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) January 17, 2015Think about it this way, u run over the rope and continually jump up in the air catching and throwing it up until u get back in play. Out?
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) January 17, 2015Not sure what the rules say but surely a fielder's last contact with the ground before taking a catch should be within the playing area
— Simon Wilde (@swildecricket) January 17, 2015What's the point of having a playing area if it turns out you can use the area beyond the rope as well?!
— Simon Wilde (@swildecricket) January 17, 2015FWIW, my understanding was that last contact with ground before starting the catch had to be inside and anything goes after that. Thus: out.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) January 17, 2015Whether that is lawfully out or not out; I think it should be out. Brilliant fielding should be encouraged. #BBL #BBL04 #STvMS
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) January 17, 2015That catch is out. Relevant bit of the laws here. pic.twitter.com/mjGX3qO6Bw
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) January 17, 2015Further clarification of how that is the right decision here pic.twitter.com/XXP4UHfmSt
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) January 17, 2015
