Melbourne Stars opener Tom Rogers was left bemused following his controversial dismissal during Tuesday evening’s Big Bash League match against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.
Chasing a 155-run target for victory, the Stars were 0-28 in the fifth over when Rogers chipped a short delivery from Sixers seamer Jackson Bird towards rival captain Moises Henriques at mid-on.
The Sixers captain lunged back with an outstretched arm, catching the ball one-handed before landing awkwardly on the turf, potentially injuring his shoulder in the process. However, replays suggested the ball may have come into contact with the deck as Henriques fell back to the ground.
“If the ball hits the ground at any point in that process, I think he’s not out,” former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian said in commentary.
Former Test bowler Brett Lee continued: “The ball’s definitely hit the deck.”
However, after reviewing the footage for several minutes, third umpire Claire Polosak awarded the dismissal, much to Rogers’ surprise.
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During the Lord’s Test of this year’s Ashes series, England opener Ben Duckett was handed a massive reprieve after Australian bowler Mitchell Starc slid the ball across the turf while taking a catch near the boundary rope.
A couple of months later, Australian bowler Sean Abbott was denied a wicket during an ODI against India in the subcontinent due to a similar post-catch grounding, giving centurion Shreyas Iyer can extra life in the middle.
Law 33.3 states that a catch is only completed once the fielder has total control over the ball and their own movement, so Rogers’ dismissal at the SCG understandably raised eyebrows.
Rogers departed for 20 (19), while Henriques later sprinted off the ground for medical attention.
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