'Absolute disgrace': Fans rage over 'unacceptable' moment in Big Bash farce
The Brisbane Heat are under fire over their extraordinary batting collapse to hand victory to the Melbourne Renegades, but were they hard done by?
The Heat appeared to be cruising to victory at the Gabba on Sunday as they charged to 0-84 inside six overs in reply to the Renegades' 6-164.
‘FURIOUS’: Steve Smith and Aaron Finch in ugly on-field blow-up
But they then lost 10-36 - the worst 10-wicket collapse in Big Bash history - to be bowled out for 120 in 15 overs.
The capitulation comes two days after Brisbane were rolled for 100 at Adelaide Oval in a 10-wicket defeat to the Strikers.
Skipper Chris Lynn couldn't have imagined how badly his team would unravel when he was dismissed for 41 off 15 deliveries and pulled no punches in his assessment of the display.
"I can't really sugarcoat it, it was just a piss-poor effort. Another embarrassing effort," he told the Seven Network.
"We're doing all the right things in training but I don't know what goes on out in the middle. We just seem to panic and then, it's not just a wicket or two, it's a trainwreck."
However at least one Heat batsman appeared to be dudded when Ben Cutting copped a horror lbw decision.
Cutting was given out despite the ball appearing to be swinging a long way down leg-side, as well as some suggestions Cutting had edged the ball before it hit his pad.
To make matters worse the umpire started to move away from his position behind the stumps before changing his mind and sending Cutting on his way.
Fans couldn’t believe Cutting was given out, with fresh fury erupting over the lack of DRS in the Big Bash this season.
The standard of BBL umpiring has almost reached such a pitiful state that a summit is required to address it. #BBL09 https://t.co/MqWFD1l9XE
— John Takemura (@takaspeaksout) January 19, 2020
Woeful batting from the @HeatBBL accompanied by a woeful decision.
— Matt Richards (@richards_matt) January 19, 2020
The standard of umpiring is beyond a joke. That’s just disgustingly incompetent
— George (@george_a_3) January 19, 2020
Sack the umpire. Unacceptable halfway down the wicket, hits the bat and impact outside leg. Absolute disgrace
— Just An Average Grade Cricketer (@avegradecricket) January 19, 2020
Omg... How bad was the lbw decision against cutting. Only missing leg stump by half a foot. 🤢🤢🤢
— Daz.Masters (@DazzlerMasters) January 19, 2020
The umpires ruining a great concept is what’s going on.. Ben cutting being given out lbw is inexcusable.. my big bash following is now over .. seriously hard to watch the umps ruin matches
— Ryan D (@RyanD60244082) January 19, 2020
That LBW for Ben Cutting should have been called a wide. .Wouldnt have hit a second set of stumps
— Bushy (@bush_bushy1961) January 19, 2020
That cutting LBW decision was so bad. Big bash desperately needs the DRS. So disappointed with the heat.
— Sam (@lilshickey) January 19, 2020
The Heat are struggling but Cutting’s LBW was one of the worst ever given in cricket history. #BbL09
— Battling Lefty (@murzo_4) January 19, 2020
Disgraceful decision
— sportstragic2019 (@sportstragic201) January 19, 2020
It’s a joke the BBL doesn’t have DRS.
— Darththorn (@Darththorn97) January 19, 2020
They batter should be allowed an appeal, that was going nowhere near the stumps.
— UnReborn Bastard (@Un_reborn) January 19, 2020
Disgusting call. Umpiring in this league is constantly horrible. Its the major issue in growing the league because the umpiring has become a lottery.
— Ryan Hutton (@TheRyhno) January 19, 2020
Heat’s historic horror show
The Heat's collapse is the third time this summer their batting has imploded.
As well as the Strikers' debacle, Brisbane were also reduced to 7-51 on their way to a 40-run loss to Perth Scorchers at Metricon Stadium on New Years' Day.
Sunday's performance was blasted by Lynn's former teammate and ex-Heat captain Brendon McCullum, with the former New Zealand Test skipper on commentary duties during the collapse.
"You can not coach stupidity, and I'm sorry but what we've seen after the dismissal of Chris Lynn ... has been out and out ridiculous batting," McCullum said, while ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting labelled the displayed "one of the all-time great chokes".
Defeat leaves Brisbane sixth on the ladder with three games left to play.
Lynn will be hoping the return of in-form Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne for Thursday's home game against the Sydney Sixers can provide some starch to the Heat's batting as they aim to sneak into the finals.
"Every player's got to look in, not out," Lynn said.
"We're playing as a group of individuals and unless we change that we're going to miss finals again which is not good enough."
with AAP
