The dismissal, embedded below, occurred in the 18th over of last night’s ODI meeting when left-handed batsman Alam looked to play spinner Xavier Doherty down leg side. Reading the play as it unfolded, Smith, stationed at first slip, swept behind his keeper and took a regulation dolly at leg slip. Here’s the catch in real time:
The confusion stems from a perceived instance of “distracting the striker”.
Law 41.7, states: “Any significant movement by any fielder after the ball comes into play, and before the ball reaches the striker, is unfair. In the event of such unfair movement, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball.”
But what constitutes “significant movement”?
Law 41.8(a), states: “For close fielders anything other than minor adjustments to stance or position in relation to the striker is significant.”
By those guidelines Smith’s catch would have been deemed illegal as he clearly moved before the batsman stuck the ball. But amendments to the rule implemented very recently by the ICC stipulate that if the batsman gets into early position to play a shot, the fielder is then free to position themselves accordingly. It only takes a split second and Jedi-like reflexes, but Smith can clearly be seen reacting to Alam shaping to sweep here:
The catch stands. Yeah boy.
