The Perth Scorchers have once again found themselves on the wrong end of a catching controversy in BBL|15, this time in the season finale with a sixth Big Bash title on the line.
After ruthlessly putting the Sydney Sixers to the sword at 6/114 with just under four overs remaining in the first innings, a packed-out Optus Stadium crowd was treated to a superb outfield catch from young gun Cooper Connolly that looked set to leave the visitors in dire straits.
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The 22-year-old dived at length to his right on the boundary to ‘dismiss’ Joel Davies for 13, with what looked like a clean catch to the naked eye at cow corner.
Davies initially thought the same, as he trudged off with no evident doubts over the catch. As the New South Wales product crossed over the boundary rope though, umpires held up play for over three minutes to confirm Connolly’s right hand — which was holding the ball — didn’t make contact with the ground in any way without his fingers underneath.
As the review continued to eek out, the Optus Stadium crowd began to voice their displeasure at a decision which looked more and more likely to be overturned.
“That’ll be not out unfortunately. I reckon his right hand hit the grass… they should (check it)… the rule is you’ve got to complete the catch,” Australian great Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
“It’s not a complete catch… that’s not out. I can’t believe that. It’s definitely not out. I reckon he’ll come back on here. I can’t see how you can give that out. I can’t believe they let him off.”
As feared by the Perth faithful, the third umpire reversed the decision and prevented English import David Payne of a fourth wicket.
Luckily for the Scorchers though, Davies departed just five balls later, chopping onto his stumps off the bowling of Jhye Richardson for 19.
“To the letter of the law it is not out. The ball did touch the ground before he controlled the catch but I don’t like the law,” Australian batting great Michael Hussey told Fox Cricket at the innings break.
“I think the law needs to be changed. In my view he is controlling the ball. He’s controlled the catch. He’s controlled the ball. It should be out. But the way the law is written at the moment, the correct decision was made.”
While on a far greater stage on Sunday night, the decision was eerily similar to one made against Ashton Turner in the home-and-away season against the Melbourne Renegades.
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“I think that everyone who is a cricket person or watched cricket or played cricket in a backyard knows that’s a catch right? That’s out,” Turner said after his catch was overruled on January 8.
“The officials have made the right decision — we don’t dispute that. But it’s frustrating isn’t it?
“It’s one of those parts of the game. The rules and regulations are written by people sitting in offices, not people out throwing themselves out in the outfield.
“I get it can be hard to have every scenario captured within the playing conditions. It’s frustrating because we were on the wrong end of it tonight.”
The Sydney Sixers were bowled out for 132 in the first innings of the BBL|15 Decider at Optus Stadium.
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