Should the rules be changed for boundary catches in cricket?

January 3, 2023 4:18 pm.by Wayne Heming

Cricket’s Big Bash is built on excitement, bang for your buck, entertainment, and controversy.

However, Brisbane Heat fieldsman Michael Neser’s spectacular ball-juggling boundary catch to dismiss threatening batsman Jordan Silk as the Sixers attempted to chase down a record 224-run total has led to calls to change the rules.

Some former players and commentators claimed Silk should not have been given out after Neser caught the ball just inside the boundary rope and tossed it into the air a split second before he crossed the rope.

He then leaped from the field of play, jumped into the air again, therefore under the current rules, kept the ball alive, and in the same action, tossed the ball back into the field of play and caught it to complete a remarkable and bizarre dismissal.

The Heat when on to win by 15 runs but Silk’s controversial dismissal when the game was still alive was a major talking point after the game along with the stunning debut of unheralded opener Josh Brown, who didn’t even have his name in his shirt.

The question is why would anyone want to change a rule that provided such a memorable moment?

If it was deemed under the rules as legal last week, so why change it now?

The rule was changed by the MCC in 2013 because boundary ropes presented an opportunity for fielders to show off their athletic skills.

Before that, the picket fence around the ground proved a physical barrier, although Steve Waugh ran behind a sight screen once many years ago to take a remarkable catch.

It’s similar to rugby league officials moving with the times and removing the corner post on try lines which has led to some of its most spectacular tries being scored.

One of my spies told me Neser practices boundary catches a lot.

Ever since he saw former Adelaide Striker teammate Matt Renshaw do it a few years ago he started practicing with Jason Gillespie.

He has continued the practice at the Heat at training, jumping, juggling catches close to the boundary.

Plenty of, players and ex-players, and commentators have had their say, some loved it, and others called for the rule to be changed.

“I didn’t like it all,” was the initial reaction from Australian fast bowler, Josh Hazlewood.

“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.

Former Australia T20 player Cameron Boyce was quick to jump on Twitter and call it a “bad rule”.

However, Sydney Thunder captain Chris Green had a different take and applauded it with his tweet.

“I’m personally a fan as it promotes spectacular boundary catches that we love to see.”

The rule applies to all forms of cricket and hopefully is here to stay.
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