Michael Neser catches Jordan Silk on the boundary, controversial goal Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers, video, rule explained, why it was off

You know something big has happened in sports when everyone is looking at the rulebook.

That was the case on Sunday night when cricket fans were stunned by Michael Nesers’ aerial shenanigans – and the Gabba umpires’ decision – in the Brisbane Heats’ win over the Sydney Sixers.

It was late in the Sixers’ chase for a huge total when Jordan Silk sent the ball towards the boundary where Neser was placed in the deep.

See BBL12. Every game live and without ads while playing on Kayo. New Kayo? Start your free trial now >

He first touched the ball in play and threw it in the air in an attempt to save the ball and not let go of the six.

But he had to step out of bounds and was several meters out of bounds when he leaped into the air and again made contact with the ball – only to throw it into the air again before touching the ground.

Then he ran back in and completed the catch, leaving the Sixers sure it was a six and Neser sure it was a door. The review proved that Neser was right.

This was the second time the Heat used Rule 19.4.2 under the MCC Laws of Cricket in recent years.

A ball in play is considered to be grounded out of bounds if

– a fielder grounded out of bounds as in 19.5 touches the ball;

– A fielder, after catching the ball in bounds, is grounded out of bounds while in contact with the ball before he finishes the ball.

Neser was not considered grounded out of bounds (despite the fact that he made contact with the ball after jumping out of bounds) because his first contact with the ball was in play.

He didn’t touch the ball when he touched the ball outside. I mean, Jesus, Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

Mark Howard replied: So you’re telling me you can just keep juggling it all the way through the border, do three rounds?

Although the decision was correct according to the letter of the law, it left cricket fans stunned.

I knew (Matt) Renshaw did it a couple of years ago. “I didn’t know if they changed the rules, and luckily they didn’t,” Neser said.