ICC World Cup 2023: 'Catch or No Catch?' David Warner, Roelof van der Merwe disagree over catch controversy

Match number 24 of ICC World Cup 2023, Australia vs Netherlands, saw controversy during the first innings with the Aussies batting as a stunning catch taken by Roelof van der Merwe of David Warner left the fans and players in a split at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday (October 25).

The incident happened during the 23rd over of the innings, when David Warner and Steve Smith were in the middle of a 100-plus stand for the second wicket to put Australia in a dominant position. Warner, batting on 73, tried to punch a low full toss in the air while facing Bas de Leede.

The effort seemed good enough to clear the cover fielder but Roelof van der Merwe was alert enough to dive to his right and take a stunning catch. Warner, however, was certain the catch wasn't taken cleanly enough by the Dutchman and made his grievances known to the umpire through gestures and stood at the crease.

The decision soon went upstairs for review by third umpire Marais Erasmus, who soon declared David Warner not out after examining the catch from different angles. Replays showed that van der Merwe went with both hands to it, after catching it, the right-hand left the ball, the left-hand has grounded the ball.
The third umpire had couple of angles to take a hard look before he ruled the decision in batter's favour. Roelof van der Merwe and his teammates were left stunned with the decision and was soon approached by Warner as the duo had a conversation regarding the incident.

Interestingly, four balls later Van der Merwe completed another stunning catch at point, this time of Steve Smith (71 runs off 68 balls), who tried to play a short and wide delivery by Aryan Dutt square of the wicket but played it straight to the Dutchman for an uncoventional reverse-cup catch.

The incident was taken upstairs to confirm again and this time the third umpire ruled it in Netherlands' favour. Roelof van der Merwe was still seen shaking his head in disagreement, suggesting he got the catch right in the last over as well.

At the time of writing, Australia were 244/3 in 36.1 overs with David Warner just four runs away from his second century in the ICC World Cup 2023. Marnus Labuschagne just departed after scoring 47-ball 62.