Did Mitchell Starc REALLY 'drop' Duckett ball? | Ricky Ponting reacts to surreal non-wicket in Ashes

Ricky Ponting gives his thoughts on Mitchell Starc's 'dropped' catch on day 4 of the 2nd Test between England and Australia in the Ashes.

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[jacobkuntflapp]

He did catch it, but even as an Australian, he should've known better than to grind it on the grass

[georgetown]

It’s going to be fun assessing catches from now on, they’ve created a monster here unnecessarily.

[mooski-mooski]

For me, it’s quite simple… If the ball touches the ground, it’s dropped. If your fingers are underneath the ball then it doesn’t touch the ground. With Mitchell Starc, it looks like the ball touches the ground his fingers aren’t actually underneath it. Simple!

[stelrex]

One thing I agree with Ponting here is that different umpires will have different interpretations of that catch. One umpire might say Starc was clearly in control of the ball and his body the moment he took that catch and then he slid the ball across the ground so it is out and in this case according to Marias Erasmus, Starc wasn't in control of his body and he used the ground as a support to hold onto the ball so it was given not out. The key word here is "control" which is causing all sorts of confusions.

[tb]

So bored of every time there is a 50/50 decision, someone is accused of cheating.

[agamemnon]

It’s clearly not out. You have to have control over your body which Starc didn’t have as he was still sliding

[tomk]

Steve Smith technically never held onto the ball either. When the ball was on his chest, he just scooped it up in the air and never fully had it in his hand once he’d hit the ground. That was fortunate to be given out

[chrisburton]

It was definitely a clean catch end of story, and I’m an England supporter

[JS_Jordan]

It’s the slow mo for me. Can’t believe it wasn’t out and even more mind blowing people are claiming he’s cheating

[_Longwinded]

Why on earth would we agree on what Ponting saying, we all know what he did while playing for Oz, don't listen to what OZs talk about spirit of cricket.

[johnhaynes]

I think it is very funny, the crowd up in arms and all that good stuff :) But realistically in the end it will make little difference, we England are unlikely to get even close to winning this match because of idiotic batting in our first innings.

[soddof]

His comment regarding slip catches is very valid and I have long said some slips need to hold onto the ball longer- I would like more umpites to rule not out if they throw it up immediately and noone catches it.

[jacktattis]

Well this decision is going to stir the Possum As Ponting has said, many a slips catch is thrown in the air when catching the ball and not having control of the ball for more than a split second.

[singh]

This is mental. How the f is that not a catch my mind is blown. Who cares if he drags the ball along the ground. He’s clearly got it in the palms of his hands. That is absolutely mind blowing. 😂😂😂

[sarmadkashani]

Starc looked in complete control, as Ponting said, but I don't know if I would have given it out either. He dragged the ball on the ground. Nonetheless, it has spiced up the game and the series. Kudos to the umpire for rescuing the bazball.

[SuspectUsual]

*Let's see if Ponting defends such catches by non-Australians!* 😂

[Jigha]

that's just a regulation catch. insane to call it not out

[harrywebster]

Just for simplicity and clarification, I think if the ball touches the ground at any point it’s not out - just far easier to adjudicate that way

[Tom-fjzx]

He literally had enough time to catch it and throw it into the air. Just didn’t want to break his shoulder

[owendavies]

I think the point Ricky's making is he did have control above the ground and in all formats, anyone who's seen player's take a catch and throw the ball instantly up, sideways or down and every decision up until this one was out. Anyone taking a catch quick and releasing it instantly now should possibly be worried about it being not out.