In the third ODI between Australia and South Africa at Mackay, a contentious moment occurred when Cameron Green, batting at 84, smacked Wiaan Mulder towards long-on in the 47th over of Australia’s innings. Stationed at the boundary, Dewald Brevis made a spectacular catch but was pushed over the rope. Brevis tossed the ball back into play, leaped over the boundary once more, and redirected it back onto the playing field in an effort to save the dismissal. South Africa, however, thought he had carried out a legitimate boundary save. But Green was given six runs by the umpires.
What a brilliant effort from Dewald Brevis to Stop the Six 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/cMgnYdVKQ1
— The Brevis (@Ben10Brevis) August 24, 2025What is ICC’s new rule for such catches?
A fielder who initially touches the ball inside the field is only permitted to touch it once when flying outside the boundary rope, under the most recent ICC and MCC playing conditions. The athlete must land back inside the field of play before re-engaging with the ball in order to make a second attempt. The play was deemed invalid because Brevis touched the ball outside the rope without entering the field and did not enter the field of play again before making contact, hence Green’s stroke was scored as a six.
Why was this rule introduced?
The rule was implemented in response to a contentious incident in the 2023 Big Bash League, in which Brisbane Heat’s Michael Neser completed a juggling effort outside the rope and claimed a catch. Although the dismissal was made at the time, it sparked discussions about the spirit of the game. The ICC updated its legislation, which went into force in 2024, to make boundary-catching situations simpler.
The contest was directly affected by the decision. Green survived and went on to achieve his first ODI century in just 47 balls, the second-fastest by an Australian, rather than being removed in the 1980s. With hundreds from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh as well, his 118* led Australia to 431/2. The Proteas were hustled out for only 155 in response. Although they still won the series 2-1, this was South Africa’s biggest loss in ODIs by 276 runs.
