Out or not-out? Here's what MCC rules state on Matthew Wade's controversial dismissal in BBL

Matthew Wade was somewhat a lone ranger for the Hobart Hurricanes in their match against the Brisbane Heat at The Gabba in Brisbane. The southpaw scored 61 off 46 with three fours and a couple of sixes. But despite his efforts, the visitors could only manage 126 in their first innings. Wade’s knock went in vain as the home team won by five wickets with eight balls to spare.

Amidst some brilliant batting, Wade became a part of a controversy. The batter got out in the 15th over to Ben Cutting, but questions were raised surrounding the catch. Matt Renshaw, at long on, took the catch. However, he had to bring out his jugglery skills to complete the dismissal. In the first instance, he took the catch, but he realised that the momentum was taking him over the ropes.

Hence, he lobbed the ball in the air. Then, from outside the boundary hoardings, he leaped and again pushed the leather back in the air. Tom Banton, who was backing Renshaw up, took the rebound. After his dismissal, the Hurricanes could only manage 28 runs of the final 31 deliveries.

Meanwhile, the dismissal sparked a bit of a controversy. Many reckoned that it was unlawful. However, as per the Laws put forth by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the catch was legal. It’s because the fielder had made first contact with the ball inside the field of play.

Here’s an insight into MCC’s law: –

19.5 Fielder grounded beyond the boundary

19.5.1 A fielder is grounded beyond the boundary if some part of his/her person is in contact with any of the following:

– the boundary or any part of an object used to mark the boundary;

– the ground beyond the boundary;

– any object that is in contact with the ground beyond the boundary;

– another fielder who is grounded beyond the boundary, if the umpire considers that it was the intention of either fielder that the contact should assist in the fielding of the ball.

19.5.2 A fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if his/her final contact with the ground, before his/her first contact with the ball after it has been delivered by the bowler, was not entirely within the boundary.

Here’s the video of Wade’s dismissal