With just two overs to play on Day 4, Australia seemed to break down the partnership of Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes, when the English opener tried to take on the short ball tactics implemented by the Aussies in the second innings. The Australian seamer seemed to take the decent catch at the fine leg region, but the decision went against his team as Ben Duckett was adjusted as not out by the third umpire.

Mitchell Starc and Australia were left frustrated after they were denied crucial a fifth wicket for England’s side, The third umpire felt that the Australian pacer was not in control of the catch, as decided in favour of the English opener. Here’s the catch taken by Starc.

https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1675203966496550912

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), has issued a statement following the controversy regarding the decision of Mitchell Starc’s catch of England opener Ben Duckett in the final session of the fourth day. As their statement read, the catch is only completed when the fielder has complete control over the ball, as the ball cannot touch the ground before that.

“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 movement.”

“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.”

Former Australian Cricketer Glenn McGrath was baffled by the decision made by the third umpire, as feels that it was a clear catch taken by Mitchell Starc at the boundary and added that he was under control to take the catch and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting felt that Starc had control over the ball than that of Steve Smith of Joe Root in the 1st innings

“That is the biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever seen. He has got it under control. I’ve seen everything this game has to offer, if that is not out, then every other catch that has been taken should be not out. That is a disgrace,” Glenn McGrath said.

“Mitchell Starc had much better control of that ball and for longer than when Steve Smith did when he caught Joe Root,” Ricky Ponting said on Sky Sports.

It will be interesting to see how crucial will be call by the third umpire, as the English opener Ben Duckett is batting beautifully in the middle alongside Ben Stokes and they will require 257 runs to level the series on the second test of the Ashes series.