'Horrendous stuff': Big Bash rocked by 'embarrassing' umpire controversy
Aussie cricket fans were left gobsmacked on Sunday night when the third umpire appeared to make a huge blunder in the Sydney Sixers’ win over Adelaide Strikers.
Josh Philippe smashed the Sixers to a seven-wicket win in Coffs Harbour, scoring an unbeaten 83 off 52 to steer his side to victory with three balls left.
‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’: Ricky Ponting rages over 'embarrassing' cricket farce
However he was at the centre of controversy when he affected the runout of Strikers batsman Matt Short for a diamond duck.
Short was caught short of his ground after a calamitous mix-up with batting partner Jonathan Wells.
The third umpire gave Short out upon review but appeared to overlook the crucial moment Philippe dropped the ball before breaking the bails with his gloves.
Replays appeared to show Philippe’s gloves hitting the stumps just before the ball, which should have resulted in a reprieve for Short.
Absolute chaos all round!
But did the third umpire jump the gun on his decision?
📺 Stream #BBL09 ad-break free on Kayo: https://t.co/CfILOrTeyB
Live blog 📝: https://t.co/dB73F4Oiun pic.twitter.com/MfFf2aXKDU— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 5, 2020
Fans and commentators were confused that the third umpire didn’t give more attention to the crucial moment.
The video umpire in this #BBL09 game at Coffs Harbour must also be the same bloke that takes tour groups to the Big Banana. He can’t be a professional umpire.
— Adam White (@White_Adam) January 5, 2020
Not sure how the 3rd umpire missed that one! Horrendous stuff! #BBL09
— TomRehn9 (@tomrehn9) January 5, 2020
That Short dismissal is really interesting. I reckon he breaks the bails with his hands, but does not have the ball in his hands. #BBL09
— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) January 5, 2020
In what has not been a great tournament for the umps, this is a clear winner... #bbl09 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ https://t.co/iHUA9EaLA4
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 5, 2020
BBL umpiring is atrocious!
— Mike K (@keelan_mike) January 5, 2020
Yes, yes he did. What an embarrassing error!
— David van V (@aussiedutchman) January 5, 2020
how is that even given out? hes got soo many replays and angles he can look at and he just ignores the fact the ball isnt even in the keepers gloves???
— James Luke (@james_luke08) January 5, 2020
Phillipe and Hazlewood star for Sixers
Josh Hazlewood, having missed the past two Tests against New Zealand with a hamstring injury, took 1-18 from his four overs.
He uprooted the leg stump of Australian short-form representative Alex Carey (29 off 31), who reached 1000 BBL runs during his innings.
Hazlewood conceded 10 off his first over, but found the right line and length in his last three.
"It (T20) is a fast-paced game isn't it, it took a little bit to get used to," Hazlewood said.
'I was a little bit rusty in the first couple of overs."
The Sixers consolidated second spot and the Strikers dropped one place to fourth on the ladder.
Philippe, who struck five fours and four sixes, peppered the short legside boundary.
He was dropped at cover by Cameron White on 26 and on 50 at deep backward point by Neser.
Needing 25 runs off the last two overs, the Sixers took 21 off the 19th bowled by Michael Neser, with Philippe smashing 14 from the first three deliveries.
With four runs needed in the final over, Tom Curran blasted a straight six off the third delivery from Peter Siddle to seal Sunday night's game in front of a sellout crowd of 9834 at the Coffs International Stadium on the NSW north coast.
with AAP
