2023–24 BBL: Moises Henriques discusses the contentious firing of Thomas Rogers

When the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars faced off, it wasn’t only the winner that took center stage. The Sixers captain, Moises Henriques, was involved in a contentious argument with Thomas Rogers about a catch that resulted in Thomas Rogers’ dismissal.

Moises Henriques sprang high at mid-off to claim a catch that left onlookers in disbelief, but the dispute surfaced quickly. Whether Henriques had taken the ball cleanly or if it had made contact with the turf was the topic of controversy after seeing the slow-motion replay.

A catch is only considered legitimate in cricket when the fielder is fully in control of their body and makes sure the ball stays off the ground while doing so. With a soft decision made on the field, Claire Polosak, the third umpire, had a difficult call to make. Upon thorough examination, she concluded that there was insufficient evidence to reverse the ruling, thus clearing Henriques.

Moises Henriques said, “I obviously felt it was out,” according to ESPNcricinfo, following the game.

“I thought I was in total control of the ball… After I landed, I thought there was no way the ball could escape. Since I was out with the physio at the time, I can’t really say that I had a chance to look at the replay. They told me they were checking, which shocked me. All I knew was that it was out. The hand never wobbled or experienced any other problems. Thus, I thought it was fairly clean.”

Rekindling the debate regarding the grey zones in cricket laws, this event brought back thoughts of Mitchell Starc’s contentious catch during the Ashes series. Henriques noted the similarities as well as the challenge of identifying catches in circumstances where fielders feel in control despite what the law suggests.

“I thought Mitch’s was out as well at Lord’s, and I obviously felt mine was out,” Henriques stated. Right now in the game, there is a little bit of ambiguity. Such dismissals were simply called out on a regular basis in the past. However, they can clearly slow that down and take a close look at it now that the video rate is larger and sharper than before.

“I’m not sure if it’s out if there’s a little finger under the ball. Alternatively, it might not be out if you’re still gripping the ball entirely or if you’re controlling it with your feet. However, I felt as though I never let go of the ball,” he said.

Henriques’s injury to his left shoulder on the catch, which prevented him from leaving the field, added to the drama. In anticipation of their game against the Sydney Thunder on Saturday, the Sixers are currently anxiously awaiting his return.