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'Absolute disgrace': Cricket world erupts over 'horrible' BBL farce

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Adam Gilchrist, pictured here shocked that Usman Khawaja wasn't given out.
Adam Gilchrist was shocked that Usman Khawaja wasn't given out. Image: Fox Sports

The lack of DRS in the Big Bash League reared its ugly head again on Sunday night as cricket fans around the country lost the plot over fresh controversy.

Sam Heazlett dragged the Brisbane Heat into the BBL semi-final, ending Sydney Thunder’s season with a sublime career-best knock of 74 not out.

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However Heazlett’s heroics were somewhat overshadowed by another umpiring howler that once again exposed the BBL’s refusal to implement DRS.

Usman Khawaja was lucky to survive an lbw shout in the opening overs at Manuka Oval, with replays showing the ball was crashing into middle stump.

However the on-field umpire refused to raise the finger, and the Heat were unable to use DRS - which hasn’t been introduced in the BBL despite widespread pleas from fans.

“It’s Manuka, not the Gabba,” one Brisbane Heat player could be heard yelling out.

Adam Gilchrist, commentating for Fox Cricket, was left shellshocked that the umpire hadn’t given it out.

On Channel Seven, Ricky Ponting said: “You don’t get much more out than that.

“The line of that looked absolutely spot on. It hit him low on the pad as well.”

Fans flocked to social media in disbelief, describing the calibre of umpiring in this season’s BBL as “disgraceful” and “horrible”.

The lack of DRS was back in the spotlight on Saturday night when Mitchell Marsh was given out caught behind down the leg side despite the ball clearly missing his bat.

The Decision Review System isn’t currently in use because the required technology would cost approximately $2 million per season.

Heazlett’s heroics send Sydney Thunder packing

The Heat, chasing a target of 159 in Sunday night's elimination final at Manuka Oval, crashed to 2-14 after losing openers Joe Denly and Chris Lynn.

The required run-rate threatened to get out of control as Heazlett and Marnus Labuschagne (32) sought to stabilise rather than slap boundaries in their 56-run partnership.

Brisbane needed 89 runs from 48 balls when a diving Labuschagne was run out at the end of the 12th over.

But Heazlett and Jimmy Peirson (43 not out) seized momentum and a seven-wicket win, combining in an unbeaten 92-run stand that spanned just 43 deliveries.

Heazlett, who stroked six fours and slapped three sixes, was dropped on 69 by teenager Tanveer Sangha in the 19th over.

Jimmy Peirson and Sam Heazlett, pictured here celebrating the Brisbane Heat's victory over Sydney Thunder.
Jimmy Peirson and Sam Heazlett celebrate the Brisbane Heat's victory over Sydney Thunder. (Photo by Brendon Thorne - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

It was the only glaring mistake in a masterful innings which ensured Brisbane completed the chase with five balls remaining.

“My head was probably spinning a bit early, I played and missed at a few balls,” Heazlett said.

“Jimmy has been playing really well, he's in great form this season. So we had full confidence we could lift the run-rate.

“The whole way through we were confident.”

Thunder captain Callum Ferguson lamented his side's inability to break the game-changing partnership.

“We had enough to defend,” Ferguson said.

“At the halfway point of their batting innings, at our best we win the game from there.”

The Heat next face Perth Scorchers on Thursday night, when the winner will advance to an SCG final against Sydney Sixers on Saturday night.

with AAP

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