Catching in Cricket

What Makes a Legal Catch?

Under Law 33 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, a catch is legal when the fielder takes complete control of the ball before it touches the ground. The fielder must have both feet inside the boundary at the moment of completing the catch. The ball must not touch the ground or a boundary marker while the fielder is in control.

Types of Catches in Cricket

• Slip catch: ball edges off the bat to a slip cordon fielder
• Outfield catch: ball hit in the air to a deep fielder
• Caught behind: ball edges to the wicketkeeper
• Catch and bowl: bowler catches their own delivery back
• Bat-pad catch: ball off the edge/pad to a close-in fielder

Catch Controversies

Whether the ball has carried cleanly to the fielder — and whether their feet were in bounds — are the most common catch controversies. DRS and the Third Umpire review high-speed footage to determine whether a low catch was taken cleanly or whether the ball touched the ground.

Importance of Catching in Cricket

Teams win matches when they hold their catches. 'Catches win matches' is one of cricket's most repeated maxims — a dropped catch can reprieve a batter who goes on to score a match-winning century. Elite fielding teams typically drop fewer than 3 catches per 10 opportunities at Test level.

A batter hits the ball high toward the boundary. The fielder camps under it near the rope, takes the catch, but their momentum carries them over the line. Their feet cross the rope. The Third Umpire rules: feet out of bounds at completion of catch — Not Out. Six runs awarded.