Latif's catch. Much has been made by way of comparison to Ponting in relation to the catch and the penalty. How many of you have seen it on video? Search for it on Youtube under "Latif cheating".
Latif dives in front of slip, the ball enters his gloves, while he is in mid-air and about to hit the ground, the ball falls out (not even dislodged by the ground, just falls out!!), he hits the ground, rolls over, picks it up (knowing the umpire couldn't see it) and claims the catch.
Now Ponting - he dives, collects the ball CLEANLY in mid-air and grasps it. This satisfies the first part of the laws re: catches - he has the ball under control. This is why the still photo of him shows his facial expression claiming the catch literally as he hits the ground.
BUT he didn't quite get there. The laws also require him to control his own body. This doesn't happen until he hits the ground, at which point he grounds the ball as well. This is the fatal flaw, as they say. Completely understandable as to why he thought it was a catch, because he was almost there. All he needed to do was turn his hand as he made impact to leverage the ball off the ground. But he didn't, so no catch.
But contrary to teh spirit of the game? NOT EVEN CLOSE. Watch Latif and you'll know exactly what I mean. Separate the emotion from the facts and then decide.
Correct decision - not out because it was grounded. Thankfully the umpire didn't see/hear it flick the batsman's glove!
RE:Catches, claims and the rules
by sri on Jan 09, 2008 06:12 AM Permalink
Michael, you are right that the two are not comparable. And, it is also true that Australians such as you and many others who are commiserating with India are doing a great job of keeping things civil and rational. Not to mention, serving as wonderful diplomats for your country. As a result this whole affair is becoming less and less an India Vs Australia affair and more and more a player-specific-ethics and umpiring issue. Of course that doesn excuse the whole sledging process that the Aussies are masters of. But this incident should go a long way towards making sledging unacceptable as "part and parcel of cricket".
RE:Catches, claims and the rules
by Voosan Raj on Jan 09, 2008 06:19 AM Permalink
Now I wonder why Aussies GDP is stagnant and rapidly going down the hill.
It appears majority of the Aussies are involved in finding loop holes in the laws and trying to vindicate themselves.
Let me give you peace of mind, a cheater is a cheater, whether you cover the catch with your ass or you catch it in mid-air, the truth remains Ponting is a freaking moron, one of the game's ugliest sports person.
