Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath has strongly criticized a decision to disallow a catch taken by Mitchell Starc in the second Test at Lord’s. McGrath described the ruling as a disgraceful decision that goes against the laws of cricket.
During the match, England opener Ben Duckett appeared to have been dismissed for 50 when he mistimed a shot off Cameron Green. Starc, positioned at fine leg, managed to hold onto a low catch but unintentionally grounded the ball while sliding on the grass.
According to the laws of cricket, a catch is only considered complete when the fielder has full control over the ball and their own movement. If the ball touches the ground before this control is established, a dismissal cannot be awarded.
The on-field umpires referred the decision to the TV official Marais Erasmus, who ruled in favor of Duckett. This ruling left McGrath thoroughly disappointed and disheartened. He expressed his frustration while commentating for BBC Radio’s Test Match Special, calling the decision the biggest load of rubbish he had ever seen.
McGrath firmly believed that Starc had complete control over the ball and should have been given the wicket. He argued that if the decision was not out, then every other catch that had ever been taken should also not be given out.
However, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the owners of Lord’s and cricket’s law-makers, stood by Erasmus’s decision. They explained that according to Law 33.3, a catch is only completed when the fielder has complete control over the ball and his/her own movement. In this particular incident, Starc was still sliding as the ball rubbed the ground, indicating that he was not in control of his movement.
At the end of the fourth day’s play, England finished at 114-4, with Duckett unbeaten on 50. They now need an additional 257 runs to reach a victory target of 371 in their attempt to level the five-match series at 1-1.
It is unfortunate that controversy marred the match, with opinions divided on the decision to disallow Starc’s catch. While McGrath strongly criticized it, the MCC insisted that the correct decision was made. This incident highlights the importance of adherence to the laws of cricket and the need for clear interpretation of these laws to ensure fair outcomes in the game.
As the series continues, cricket fans and experts will closely watch how such decisions impact the matches and hope for consistency and transparency in the decision-making process.
