BBL 2022-23: ICC Decides On Michael Neser's Debatable BBL Catch

When Brisbane Heat defeated Sydney Sixers by 15 runs in their Big Bash League (BBL) match on Sunday in Brisbane, Michael Neser stole the show. In addition to his three-wicket haul during Sydney’s pursuit, he also finished a brilliant but contentious catch to return Jordan Silk to the pavilion in the 19th over.

Brisbane scored 224 for five in its first 20 overs thanks to Nathan McSweeney’s 84 runs off 51 deliveries. Josh Brown managed a half-century in the meanwhile. For Sydney, Ben Dwarshuis, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, and Dan Christian each claimed one wicket.

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Michael Neser’s Match-Winning Catch

Sydney was bowled out for 209 runs after setting a goal of 225 runs. During the run pursuit, it appeared for a brief moment that the Sixers, led by Silk, would succeed in reaching the goal. Silk was dismissed in the 19th over after scoring 41 runs off 23 balls, including three fours and two sixes, thanks to Michael Neser’s crucial match-winning catch.

Silk blasted the ball to the left of the long-off after receiving a complete delivery and outside off. Michael Neser dashed there, sprang, and took the catch with both hands extended, and only then did he realize he was going over the ropes. Then he attempted to throw it up, but he ultimately did so over the fence. He jumped again, catching it this time before tossing it back into the game.

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Replays revealed that the catch was clean as a whistle, making it a crucial moment as Sydney was 199 for 8 in the chase after 18.2 overs. The catch was reported upstairs.

ICC Gives Its Verdict On Michael Neser’s Controversial Catch

Even while the attempt received praise from many, several fans and experts questioned if the catch was legal, which sparked a lively discussion. The ICC issued their ruling in an effort to put a stop to the uproar and decided that the “batter was appropriately called out.”

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.#MCCLaws

— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) January 1, 2023

In ICC in its website said, “Law 19.5.2 states: “A fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if his/her final contact with the ground, before his/her first contact with the ball after it has been delivered by the bowler, was not entirely within the boundary.”

“It is important to note that as long as the fielder’s first touch of the ball is inside the boundary line, they are allowed to finish the catch however they like, provided their feet are not grounded with the ball over the boundary.

“Neser’s initial contact with the ball, the timing of his jump and the eventual catch were all within the laws of the game, the batter was correctly declared out”, the ICC further added.

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