'Needs to be an inquiry': Disbelief over 'ridiculous' Aussie cricket farce
The weight of cricket’s ‘Zing’ bails have once again caused controversy in the Big Bash.
Players and commentators were left baffled on Wednesday night in the Perth Scorchers’ win over Brisbane Heat when Zahir Khan chopped the ball onto the stumps but the bails stayed on.
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One of the ‘Zing’ bails lit up as it lifted out of its groove, however it somehow nestled straight back into place and Khan was given a reprieve.
The heavy bails strike again.
Roy's explanation of why is 👌
📺 Stream #BBL09 ad-break free on Kayo: https://t.co/CfILOrTeyB
Live blog 📝: https://t.co/Y03TkvqDC8 pic.twitter.com/0VDWGnEQwY— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 1, 2020
The freakish moment - which used to be somewhat of an anomaly - seems to be happening more and more often.
In this case the ball struck the base of the stump with such force that it almost ricocheted all the way out to point.
“There needs to be an inquiry, it’s happening so often,” Mark Howard said in commentary for Fox Cricket.
Fellow commentator Adam Gilchrist labelled it “ridiculous”, while Andrew Symonds said the bails are too heavy.
“I’ve picked up a timber bail and a zinger bail. The difference in weight is astronomical,” Symonds said.
“And it’s because of the batteries they put into them.”
This is happening way too often in cricket these days!
— Prakhar 'Sports nut' Sachdeo (@simplyparu) January 1, 2020
The ball has almost made it out to square leg...... the bails are only supposed to be there to prove it hit the stumps...shouldnt be this hard to knock them off.....
— Craig M (@diminutiverowdy) January 1, 2020
Lynn apologises for ‘embarrassing’ display
Chris Lynn felt compelled to apologise after Brisbane's batting effort created some unwanted history on New Year's Day.
The Heat fell to 7-51 in pursuit of Perth's 6-149 at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast before Khan (19 not out) became the first No.11 to top score in a Big Bash League innings.
He and No.10 Ben Laughlin put on 31 for the final wicket as the Heat managed 109 in 18.4 overs and slumped to 1-3 this season.
All three losses have come in run chases, with the Heat making 4-209 in their only win when batting first.
Lynn stumbled to 14 from 21 balls as wickets fell cheaply and easily around him.
"I'm truly embarrassed by that batting performance," he told Channel 7.
"It's not time to panic, but maybe we have to change our preparation, or our batting line-up or maybe give the guys a rocket.
"You've got to stay calm ... you don't mind when blokes are getting caught on the fence to their strengths but when they're getting out to their weaknesses ... that's the part that really pisses me off."
Lynn has been stubborn in his approach to the Heat's all-or-nothing batting until now, happy to back his top-heavy order to fire regularly enough to get results.
But he said changes may come in Hobart on Friday, with opener Max Bryant potentially in the cross-hairs after he walked past Ashton Agar's first ball to be stumped and set the tone of the failed chase.
Lynn said Zahir and Laughlin, who also took 2-18 and 2-32 respectively, had shown their top order how it was done with the bat.
"We batted basically with our eyes closed ... it just wasn't good enough; we'll have to have a hard look at ourselves and rebound quickly," he said.
The Heat will welcome AB de Villiers later this month when Tom Banton departs, with the South African slated to play the last six games and be available for a potential finals series.
Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will also replace countryman Zahir.
"The dynamic will change massively," Laughlin said of their arrivals.
"It's be nice to be top of table undefeated, but these longer tournaments are about getting on a run at the right time."
with AAP