Why was Joel Davies given not out despite a clear catch by Cooper Connolly in BBL 15 final? Know the truth

Joel Davies couldn’t score big even after getting a second chance in the final of BBL 15 against Sydney Sixers.

The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 final got underway at a packed Optus Stadium with the Perth Scorchers asserting early dominance after winning the toss and opting to bowl first against the Sydney Sixers. On a sluggish surface offering grip and uneven bounce, the Scorchers’ bowlers immediately justified the decision, denying the Sixers any early momentum.

The tone was set in the powerplay as the Scorchers struck regularly, with David Payne delivering a decisive spell. His variations proved difficult to read, resulting in key breakthroughs that left the Sixers reeling. Tight lines from Aaron Hardie and Jhye Richardson ensured scoring opportunities were scarce, forcing the batters into risky strokes.

Despite the pressure, Steve Smith once again showcased his class with a fluent cameo at the top of the order. Smith counter attacked with crisp boundaries and a towering six, briefly lifting the scoring rate and giving the Sixers hope. However, his innings was cut short following a successful review by Scorchers captain Ashton Turner, a moment that swung momentum firmly back in Perth’s favour.

The middle overs belonged entirely to the Scorchers, as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Moises Henriques and Josh Philippe struggled to convert starts, while the slower pitch exposed the Sixers’ difficulties against change of pace. Payne’s double strike during the Power Surge further dented Sydney’s innings, reducing them to 6 for 103 and leaving them well short of a commanding total.

By the end of the first innings, the Scorchers had firmly taken control of the final through disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. With runs hard to come by and pressure mounting on every delivery, the Sixers now faced an uphill task, needing an exceptional bowling effort of their own to stop Perth from pushing for an unprecedented sixth Big Bash title.

Watch: Massive controversy in BBL final as Joel Davies given not out despite a clear catch by Cooper Connolly

Joel Davies helped the Sixers get to a respectable total of 132, with a fighting knock of 19 runs in 14 balls, batting alongside the tail as wickets fell around him. However, in the 17th over, Davies was granted a reprieve when he was on just 13.

Looking to swipe for a maximum on the leg-side, he did not get the timing he would have liked. Cooper Connolly, the fielder, who had previously dropped Moises Henriques, ran to his right and claimed the catch.

The Sixers seemed convinced, and the batter walked back to the dressing room. Even as the TV Umpire Phillip Gillespie was taking a look, Davies had already crossed the boundary.

However, upon multiple replays, it became evident that after completing the catch, Connolly used the ground to gain control of the ball, during which the ball made clear contact with the turf.

Here’s the video:

Why was Joel Davies given not out despite a clear catch by Cooper Connolly in BBL 15 final? Know the truth

According to the MCC Laws of Cricket, if the ball touches the ground at any point during the completion of a catch, the fielder is deemed not to have full control. As a result, the umpire was correct in declaring the batter not out.

Law 33.3 states: “A catch is completed when the fielder has control of the ball and any movement of the ball is within the fielder’s control.”

Law 33.3.1 expands the above, saying “If the ball touches the ground at any time while the fielder is in the act of completing the catch, the catch shall be deemed not to have been made.”

The decision did not prove too costly for the Sixers, as Davies was dismissed by Jhye Richardson on the very first ball of the following over.

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