Josh Hazlewood has known as for a little-known rule to be modified after his Test teammate Michael Neser pulled off a weird – however authorized – catch enjoying for the Brisbane Heat within the Big Bash League.
Late in Sunday’s match with the Sydney Sixers, batter Jordan Silk (41 runs off 23 deliveries) slogged to the deep the place Neser was ready.
But because the ball flew above his head, the paceman couldn’t full the catch within the subject of play, so as an alternative juggled the ball over the boundary rope to maintain it alive.
With the ball nonetheless within the air, Neser gave chase, leaping from behind the boundary rope and batting it again to the sphere of play, the place he took a catch.
Given Neser’s first contact with the ball was within the subject of play and he had neither of his ft on the bottom when he touched the ball exterior the boundary rope, his catch stood and the Heat held on to win by 15 runs.
The Marylebone Cricket Club guidelines state: “The ball in play is to be regarded as being grounded beyond the boundary if a fielder, grounded beyond the boundary, touches the ball (or if) a fielder, after catching the ball within the boundary, becomes grounded beyond the boundary while in contact with the ball, before completing the catch.”
In October 2013, the MCC tweaked the rule to permit for catches like Neser’s. Previously, a fielder’s final level of contact with the bottom couldn’t be exterior the sphere of play as they tried a catch.
Neser’s catch sparked debate, with former Australia T20 participant Cameron Boyce blasting the “bad rule” on Twitter, whereas Sydney Thunder captain Chris Green applauded it.
“I’m personally a fan as it promotes spectacular boundary catches that we love to see,” Green tweeted.
Hazlewood, although, didn’t agree.
“I didn’t like it all,” he informed reporters on Monday.
“I think it should be back to the old rule where you have to be in the field of play and that’s your last step before you throw it back in. It was something different and ‘Ness’ is pretty cluey with the rules. It worked for them last night.
“Players are undoubtedly conscious of the rule. I’m undecided when (the rule) modified nevertheless it was just a few years again.”
But Hazlewood admitted as long as the rule was in place, he too would take advantage of it if given the chance.
“If it is within the guidelines, go for it,” he stated.
