The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has provided clarification regarding the contentious catch taken by Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc to dismiss England batter Ben Duckett during the Lord’s Test of the Ashes 2023 series. The MCC, responsible for governing the laws of cricket, addressed the controversy surrounding the legality of the catch.
During the fourth day’s play, Starc took a running catch of Duckett. However, the on-field umpires ruled Duckett not out, and the decision was upheld by the third umpire. The MCC, in their statement, highlighted that the fielder did not have complete control over the ball while completing the catch, leading to the catch being deemed not legal.
Citing Law 33.3, the MCC clarified that a catch is only considered complete when the fielder has “complete control over the ball and his/her own movement” and the ball does not touch the ground before then. In Starc’s case, it was observed that he was still sliding as the ball rubbed the ground, indicating a lack of control over his movement.
The decision drew disappointment from Starc and his Australian teammates, as they believed the catch was cleanly taken. However, the MCC’s clarification supports the umpires’ decision to give Duckett not out.
“In relation to the below incident, 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,” MCC said in a statement on Twitter.
“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 statement added.
Meanwhile, at Stumps on Day 4, Duckett stayed unbeaten on 50 off 67 balls as England still needed 257 runs to win with six wickets in hand.
