'Six or out?' - Controversy erupts over Steve Smith's catch near the boundary rope

The rivalry that England and Australia share on the cricket field is a delight to watch. However, the same rivalry led to controversy recently. In the 3rd T20I between the Aussies and the Brits, Steve Smith, the Australian batsman, took an amazing catch to dismiss Moeen Ali at the boundary and the social media erupted with claims right after that.

It started when Ali, the captain of the England team for the 3rd and the final T20I, slammed a slog towards the deep mid-wicket area. Smith, one of the safest fielders of the sport was there at the boundary. As soon as he grabbed the ball, he realized that he was near the boundary and he threw the ball up, he went out of the boundary line, came back, and completed the usual catch ritual. The on-field umpire gave a soft signal that it’s out.

The decision was sent upstairs, the third umpire had a close look and the video didn’t show any frame in which the shoe had touched the rope, and thus, the third umpire didn’t have enough evidence to overturn the decision and the English skipper had to walk back.

However, a picture became quite popular on various platforms in which it looked like the shoe had brushed the advertisement cushion. A lot of claims stormed into the social media handles suggesting that Australia has got away with a false decision but Michael Atherton had a different opinion. He said that it’s the shadow of Smith’s foot that has made it look otherwise.

“There was a moment there where you might think the foot had touched the boundary edge but it was actually the shadow,” Atherton said in commentary for Sky Sports.

Here’s how Twitter reacted

@englandcricket i think M.Ali was not out in Last match against australia.see the replay
Catch by Steve Smith

— Kuldipsinh Chudasama (@KuldipsinhChud7) September 9, 2020

Steve Smith with a smart catch in the deep 🙌

Stream the Kayo Mini between England and Australia now 🏏 #cricket #ENGvAUS https://t.co/8F3WTMJm7N pic.twitter.com/dqVFJMxA3D

— Kayo Sports (@kayosports) September 8, 2020

Series over … dead rubber … B team … etc. Would like to see a better camera angle on that Steve Smith catch though. It looked like he touched the boundary with his heel

— Darryll King (@dazzler1878) September 8, 2020

I can’t stand Steve Smith the fat prick. Like even watching him take a catch really annoys is.

— Jonny Lavery (@JonnyLavery99) September 8, 2020

Steve Smith pre cons for cheating still wearing that guilty look – exaggeration of catch added to doubt looked like his heel touched boundary – they just didn’t want another scandal ! pic.twitter.com/ATmKWdxroD

— Master Of Reality (@InstantKarmaNow) September 8, 2020

If Steve Smith’s not touched the boundary there, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. #ENGvAUS

— Jamie Hoyle (@jtahoyle) September 8, 2020

Piers it was a six Steve Smith done it again pic.twitter.com/ODCvsSeMZK

— Mohammad Tanveer (@cr7federet) September 8, 2020

Dei wasn't the Steve Smith's catch at the boundary line to dismiss Moeen Ali, a six? 🤔 #ENGvsAUS

— Rahul Krish Bhaskar (@Rahul_Bhas) September 9, 2020

Mitchell Marsh provided Australia with a consolation victory

Australia’s tour of England has not started at the right note for the visitors. The first two T20Is were all about the Australian collapse and England relishing the opportunities. Both the teams made some important changes and the Australian all-rounder, Mitchell Marsh finally got a chance in the third game after missing out in the first two matches. After bundling out England for mere 145 runs, Australia was right on top before another collapse happened.

Marsh came at the crease when the touring party required 59 runs off 56 balls with 6 wickets in hand. All they needed was someone to stay till the end and Marsh (39 off 36) stayed there and took them over the finishing line with ease. Marsh looks quite confident of grabbing the finishing role in the side, but he has a straight face-off with Marcus Stoinis.