Brisbane Heat fielder confuses everyone with bizarre catch, a breakdown

Jan 9, 2023 794.9K views 5:20

What Happened

In a bizarre play during a cricket match between the Brisbane Heat and an opposing team, Brisbane Heat fielder Tom Banton makes a confusing but ultimately legal catch. The play unfolds in the late stages of the match, with the outcome still in the balance. Banton, positioned near the boundary line, leaps into the air to field a lofted shot from the batting team. As he nears the boundary, Banton realizes he will fall outside the playing area. Rather than let the ball go for an automatic 4 or 6 runs, Banton ingeniously bats the ball up in the air, regains his footing inside the boundary, and completes the catch. The opposing team immediately protests, unsure if the catch should be allowed. Banton's teammates, however, confidently declare that the play is legal, having seen a similar maneuver executed by their teammate Matthew Renshaw in a previous match. The umpires consult the rules and determine that Banton's actions are indeed permitted, as long as his initial contact with the ball occurred within the boundary before he stepped outside. According to the official cricket laws, "a fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if his final contact with the ground before his first contact with the ball... was not entirely within the boundary." In this case, Banton's first touch of the ball was inside the boundary, and his feet only stepped outside after the initial contact, allowing him to complete the catch. The opposing team's captain is visibly frustrated, arguing that the rule is confusing and should be changed. However, the umpires and the International Cricket Council (ICC) later confirm that the decision to award the catch to Banton was correct, much to the delight of the Brisbane Heat players and fans. Banton, who has pulled off this type of play before, celebrates the unique catch with his teammates, recognizing the skill and quick thinking required to execute such an unorthodox maneuver. The match continues, with the Brisbane Heat maintaining their advantage thanks to Banton's acrobatic play.

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it throws it up in the air hot potato to