Explained: Why Steve Smith was given not out despite Ben Stokes taking the catch in The Oval test

Third umpire Nitin Menon ruled it not out even after Ben Stokes took the catch off Steve Smith at The Oval.

Controversies in the ongoing Ashes series are not ending, even on the final day of the final Ashes test when England thought they got big fish Steve Smith out, English captain Ben Stokes claimed a catch but the 3rd umpire had to rule that was not out. In the 66th over of the game Australian innings, when Steve Smith gloved while defending one of Moeen Ali’s delivery. It went straight to the leg gully where Ben Stokes was fielding. Stokes grabbed the ball but he spilled it soon to celebrate the catch. Umpire Joel Wilson adjudged this as not out as Ben Stokes was not in control of the catch. 

Why Steve Smith was not out?

Not satisfied with the decision, English captain Ben Stokes went upstairs as he took the review but the third umpire Nitin Menon also ruled in favour of Joel Wilson’s call and Steve Smith remained not out before the rain broke out in Australia’s chase. Umpires ruled in favour of Steve Smith as they thought Ben Stokes was not in full control of the catch and spilled it before the actual time was required to hold on to a catch taken. This created a lot of debate among England and Australian fans on social media and in the commentary box as well. 

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Australian batter Steve Smith was adjudged not out According to the MCC ruling of 33.3 in the rulebook. The law states, “The act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder’s person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his/her movement”. The rules make it clear that when a fielder holds the ball he needs to have great control till the required time the fielder throws it in the air to celebrate. The incident was similar to what Herschelle Gibbs did against Australia in the 1999 World Cup. 

Steve Smith and Travis Head have stitched a decent partnership to put England under pressure. England made a great start as Chris Woakes sent Australian opener David Warner and Usman Khawaja back into the dressing room. Mark Wood also chipped in by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne. After losing three wickets on the final day, Smith and Head added 69 runs in 18 overs. England are desperate to win the Oval test to equal the Ashes series, while Australia will be satisfied with a draw.