Melbourne: England captain Nasser Hussain was within his rights to stand his ground after a contentious no-catch ruling during the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australian batsman Justin Langer said on Friday.

But the double century maker believes Hussain was out. Hussain's refusal to walk after Jason Gillespie claimed a catch at mid-on from the bowling of Stuart MacGill was a big talking point after the second day's play.

Hussain, who also survived two caught-behind appeals off Brett Lee early in his innings, finished unbeaten on 17. The England skipper hit a MacGill full toss to Gillespie who dived to his left, juggled the ball then jumped to his feet to claim the catch.

Hussain was unmoved and was given the benefit of the doubt by video umpire Darrell Hair. "I had a good view of it," Langer said at his press conference.

"I personally thought he caught it, so it's disappointing the result didn't go his way. Nasser's within his ground, that's the rules of the game."

Advocating less involvement from the video umpire and more onus on players under such circumstances, Langer said, "If he (any fieldsman) says he catches it and it shows he didn't catch it, he'll be branded a cheat for the rest of his career, probably."

Copyright AFP 2001

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