'Clear out lag raha tha mujhe toh' - Fans react to controversial not-out decision after Mitchell Starc completed Ben Duckett's catch

During Day 4 of the second Ashes 2023 Test at Lord's, a huge dispute broke out when Mitchell Starc's alleged catch of Ben Duckett was overturned. After Australia had set England up to chase 371 in their second innings, the incident happened in the 29th over. As Duckett approached his half-century on the fifth delivery of the over, he was unsure of how to handle the Cameron Green bouncer.

The ball went towards the fine leg despite the left-handed batter's attempt to ramp it over the keeper. Starc sprinted towards the direction of his left, made a sliding catch, and then jumped for joy. Duckett turned to head back to the pavilion, feeling defeated. He was told to wait though, since the decision had been sent upstairs.

To the surprise of Starc and the Australian players, third umpire Marais Erasmus determined after reviewing replays that the catch had not been made cleanly. Numerous former Australian cricketers criticised the decision, which sparked a significant debate.

Apex Cricket Body’s reasoning on Starc’s catch off Ben Duckett

The Apex Cricket Council addressed the catch in an official statement, explaining that the third umpire had doubts about whether it had been taken cleanly. The statement said, “Law 33.3 of the MCC's Laws of Cricket states that ‘the act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder’s person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his/her own movement’.In this case, it was deemed by third umpire Marais Erasmus upon review of the catch that Starc was not in control of his own movement when the ball was brushed against the turf.”

After escaping this almost fatal experience, Duckett finished Day 4 unblemished on 50*. For England to tie the five-match series 1-1 on Day 5 of the Lord's Test, they will need an additional 257 runs.

Fans react to the controversial not-out decision after Mitchell Starc completed Ben Duckett's catch: -

Not out given by the 3rd umpire as Mitchell Starc's hands were touching the grass. pic.twitter.com/1VYLEhUOHe

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 1, 2023

No as he did not have complete control of his body on completing the catch, that was the reason for the not out.

— Akshay Shah - Founder CEO, iWebTechno (@AkshayiWeb) July 1, 2023

So it is proved Gill was not out. If this is call grounded then green definitely grounded Gill catch. It was wrong decision. Wonder what Ponting had to say now.

— Rajdeep Ghosh (@rajdeep_ghosh) July 1, 2023

The same scenario happened thrice:
Gill out.
In the first innings, root took the same catch, given out.
Starc was actually in control of the ball but this time given not out.

— Abhishek (@Abhisek17191664) July 1, 2023

Smith got away with cheating in the first innings, Starc wasn’t lucky or sleek.

— Lorenzo de Medici (@Earl_555) July 1, 2023

Umpire Erasmus was very right in doing so. He is the best umpire.

— Gyan Chand (@GyanChand535) July 2, 2023

He drag the ball through the turf so its not out

— Amreet Nayak (@AmreetNayak1) July 1, 2023

Have a look carefully no part of hand is under ball.... Ball is touching the ground as well...

— sandeep bhutada (@KHALNAYAK1139) July 2, 2023

it's impossible. How can a catch that touches the ground is out?

The third umpire needs to know it is the Australian player who caught it. Hope they shouldn't commit this kind of mistake in the future.@RickyPonting

— Naresh R Regalla ❄️ (@NareshRegalla) July 1, 2023

The law states that he should be in control while taking the catch.
Starc is in more control than what green was in wtc final.

— Sharath🇮🇳 (@R_Sharath05) July 1, 2023

That was easy ctch and full grabbed idy umpires had already so not out to out.
Uncertain umpires😝

— Muzamil Tareen (@SaysbyMKT) July 1, 2023

Even the ball was clearly touching the ground & he was not in full control of himself which makes this as not out

— Sharad Pawar (@Sharadpawar1991) July 2, 2023

Given not out because ball is touching ground.

— Goykar Manis (@goykar_manis) July 1, 2023

If this against india , it will remain out.

— Bhupinder Singh (@Mrsinghginni) July 2, 2023