Watch: A brilliant catch ends up in a six

Watch: A brilliant catch ends up in a six: The Australian middle order batsman Peter Forrest held onto a brilliant catch from the big blade of Kieron Pollard however ended up conceding a six instead. The ball which went miles up in the air seemed to be heading over the boundary rope but didn’t and was caught just inside the rope by Forrest who kept his balance for a second before eventually loosing it.

The Aussie way of catching the ball with fingers pointed up can be beneficial at times however not when the fielder is so close to the boundary line. Although Forrest managed to catch the ball he had already touched the boundary with his right leg. He took a few steps ahead and realizing that he was about to be off-balance he threw the ball inside the playing area and went over the ropes himself. Having touched the line prior to this a six was rightly given by the umpire. Had the Aussie stationed himself just inside the rope, let the ball go behind him and watched it all the way he could have been able to take a legitimate catch with fingers pointing down. This match was being played in the musical Caribbean and one could hear the rhythmic sound of trumpets. The West Indian public are fun loving and must have surely enjoy this moment which gave the home team additional 6 runs and allowed their hero Pollard to continue his stay at the crease.

The technique of catching the ball with fingers pointed up also helps when you are at the edge of the boundary and can’t push further back however only when one is balanced and knows where the rope is. Forrest in this instance appeared unsure about his proximity to the rope, and should have judged that the ball was extremely close to the rope hence caught it behind after stationing himself firmly. Easier said than done though; taking high catches being so close to the fence is always tricky.

Watch: A brilliant catch ends up in a six:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFDg_8CG3kU