David Warner hits stunning century against the Netherlands in Cricket World Cup clash… but was he lucky to survive this ‘dropped’ catch?

David Warner rolled back the years with a sumptuous 104-run knock to put Australia in control of their Cricket World Cup clash with the Netherlands.

But as always with the veteran opener, it was not without controversy.

Warner was somewhat fortunate not to be back in the sheds after Roelof van der Merwe appeared to make a stunning catch to dismiss him at extra cover on Wednesday.

The Dutch were outraged when Warner refused to walk despite initially being given out, with the on-field umpires sending the decision up for the third umpire to review.

However, on closer inspection, Van der Merwe was helped by the ground as he grabbed the ball in India, allowing Warner to survive.

But the veteran opener was somewhat fortunate to survive a dropped catch in India

But it was an ironic moment as the Australians argued that a similar Mitchell Starc ‘catch’ should have been handed out during the Ashes.

Starc used the ground to help him catch Ben Duckett during the Test series this summer, and the referee ruled it was not a legal catch.

The Aussies were in uproar over the incident, with cricket great Glenn McGrath overturning the decision.

‘If that’s England taking the catch, that’s out!’ he said.

‘England has the best conditions and now they also get the best rules. That’s the biggest amount of bullshit I’ve ever seen.

“If that doesn’t happen, every catch I’ve ever taken will be thrown out. That’s a shame.’

Jonny Bairstow joined the debate this week, claiming the Australians had made a number of ‘illegal’ catches during the Ashes.

He doubted the ball hit the ground before Steve Smith checked it and dismissed Joe Root on day two at Lord’s.

Bairstow also wondered whether Marnus Labuschagne had caught Harry Brook cleanly in the second innings of the first Test at Edgbaston.

The incident was eerily similar to the Mitch Starc incident that infuriated Australia in the Ashes

“There are suspicions everywhere,” he said.

‘Fingers under the ball when the ball is still touching the ground. Celebrating when the ball has hit the ground. Marnus celebrated in Edgbaston a short distance away.

“Then the one where ‘Rooty’ fell on at Lord’s, when (Smith) said his fingers were under the ball. However, they were widely distributed.

‘But that was handed out, that’s fine. It’s part of the game and the decisions the referees make.”