Rule OK, but there is a catch: Wade
CONFUSION surrounded Matthew Wade’s dismissal at the Gabba on Thursday night and while the man himself has no problems with the rule, he believes it could be exposed in the future.
The Hurricanes captain, who scored 61 from 46 balls against Brisbane, was caught on the fence after Matthew Renshaw – who was outside the field of play at the time – tapped the ball back to Tom Banton inside the rope.
Renshaw’s momentum carried him over the boundary after he had initially completed the catch inside, and after flicking the ball back up in the air he jumped to ensure he was not touching the ground when he parried it to Banton.
The bizarre sequence had everyone at the ground confused before the third umpire, who initially gave Wade not out, reversed the decision.
Wade conceded that he was unaware of the change in the laws which deemed the catch was fair, with players allowed to touch the ball while outside the field of play as long as the first point of contact was inside the playing arena.
“His (Renshaw’s) reaction was quite subdued so I don’t think he really knew the rule either and neither did I, but once the umpire told me that you are allowed to leave the field of play and touch the ball again, as long as you are up when you touch it, I knew I was out,” Wade said.
“I have never seen that done. I think it is just going to bring great clarity to the rule for all the players. Now that we know I’m sure it will be exposed at some stage.
“I’ve got no grudges, I was happy to go.”