Michael Neser weighs in as controversial catch banned by cricket bosses

It was a BBL catch which divided opinion — should it have been out or not? Recently, cricket’s law makers made their decision on whether Michael Neser’s effort will ever happen again and the man in question has had his say.

Michael Neser takes his famous catch on the boundary line for the Brisbane Heat. Picture: FOX SPORTS

Much as he enjoyed it, Michael Neser always sensed his spectacular “bunny hop’’ catch was “taking the piss’’ and likely to be banned.

And so it has been banned by the MCC with this week the first in which fieldsmen are not allowed to claim a fair catch by repeatedly jumping in the air beyond the boundary and tossing the ball mid-air before finally taking the catch in the field of play.

Michael Neser catch

Speaking at Queensland Cricket’s launch of new summer memberships and their new partnership with holiday brand Royal Caribbean, Neser had mixed feelings about the ban.

“That’s a shame,’’ a smiling Neser said when asked about the news.

“I can see both sides. Being an exponent of it I would have liked to keep it but I could see why they have banned it.

“It does not look great when you take the piss and throw it up 20 metres and juggle it and dance around the field so I can see why they have done it.’’

Brisbane Heat players Nicola Hancock, Michael Neser and Sianna Ginger with kids Bruce Hughes, 9 and Emily Hughes, 10. Picture: Liam Kidston

Playing for the Brisbane Heat, Neser caught a drive from Sydney Sixers Jordan Silk but tossed it airborn as his momentum swept him over the boundary.

Neser was about three metres beyond the boundary when he jumped again and palmed the ball back in play where he caught it and a bewildered Silk was given out.

Neser revealed his actions were rehearsed rather than instinctive.

“When Matty Renshaw did it a couple of years prior it proved you could do it and we actually practiced it on the boundary. I never thought it would happen again because it is one of those moments when the timing has to be perfect.

“Initially I just threw it up. Then I thought “hang on this is live because we have practiced this. Mitch Swepson was the first to run up to me and say “that’s out’’ and I said “I thought they changed the rule’’ but sure enough it was out.’’

Originally published as Michael Neser weighs in as controversial catch banned by cricket bosses