Cricket world divided over fresh catch controversy to rock the Ashes

Cricket fans are divided over the latest catch controversy to rock the Ashes with an Australian star done in by the laws of the game.

Catch or no catch?

So far that’s been the question of the Ashes series with another controversy joining the mix on day four of the second Test.

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With their backs firmly against the wall at 4/113 and late in the day on day four, England received a stroke of good fortune when Ben Duckett received a lifeline thanks to third umpire Marais Erasmus.

The ball skied to Starc who comfortably held the ball in his left hand before a brief slide along the turf.

Unfortunately for Australia their celebrations were cut short as Duckett was called back to the crease after the catch was deemed to be not out.

Starc’s catch was ripped out of his hands after it was ruled he had control of the ball but not his body when the ball touched the ground.

Watch the controversial moment in the video player above

The MCC, guardians of the Laws of Cricket, explained why the catch wasn’t given out upon review with a two-part tweet.

“Law 33.3 clearly states that a catch is only completed when the fielder has “complete control over the ball and his/her own movement,” they wrote.

“The ball cannot touch the ground before then. In this particular incident, Mitchell Starc was still sliding as the ball rubbed the ground, therefore he was not in control of his movement.”

The moment that cost Starc. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The celebrations didn’t last long. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The latest controversy left the cricket world divided down the middle with legends of the game bemoaning the ruling while others online said the correct decision had been reached.

Aussie cricket legend Glenn McGrath was apoplectic when it was given not out.

“I’m sorry, that is the biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever seen,” McGrath said on the BBC.

“He’s got that ball under control. I’ve seen everything this game has to offer. If that is not out, then every other catch that’s ever been taken should not be out. That is a disgrace.”

Fellow Australian legend Ricky Ponting added: “I must admit I’m a little bit confused.

“As far as I’m concerned – if you look at the two in this game – Mitchell Starc has had more control and longer than Steve Smith did when he took Joe Root in the first innings.”

Former England skipper Andrew Strauss sided with the Aussies in believing the catch should have been given out, but another former skipper in Alastair Cook believed the not-out call was clearly correct.

“For me it was out. Mitchell Starc was in control of the ball. But it was sloppy by him. He just needed to get his hand under the ball,” Strauss said.

Cook said: “Well I clearly think it’s not out, in my humble opinion.”

Great catch by Mitchell Starc but he clearly doesn’t know the Law defining a clean catch….. if he did he would surely have made sure his knuckles were down and not up when he slid his ball hand along the deck……

— Derek Pringle (@derekpringle) July 1, 2023

How is that not out ? complete control of the ball ? #ashes

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) July 1, 2023

If Steve Smith’s catch is out in the first innings then Starc’s can not be overturned…

— Marcus North (@Marcus_North) July 1, 2023

Mitchell Starc catch. Out? Or not out?

Not out ❌☝️#TheAshes@westfieldlondon | @westfieldstrat

🎥https://t.co/m74OnvttRC
🟢https://t.co/ENZRa8fjQt
🍎https://t.co/7V8IgKSgc4pic.twitter.com/1ReVFKX8OG

— The Final Word (@Final_Word_Pod) July 1, 2023

Starc and the rest of the Aussies were incensed after Duckett was called back to the crease with the left-arm quick remonstrating with the umpires.

The wicket of Duckett would have dropped England to five down and still needing 258 runs to secure victory and level the series up at 1-1.

The reprieve now puts the final day of action right up for grabs with the England opener ending the day’s play unbeaten on 50 alongside skipper Ben Stokes on 29.

Australia and Starc will no doubt use the overturned decision to fuel their drive on the final day of play as they look to take a dominant series lead.