Controversy erupts over bizarre extra ball blunder in Big Bash

Fans have been left fuming over a bizarre umpiring error that cost the Perth Scorchers dearly.

The Big Bash is never short on drama but the Perth Scorchers will be thankful the batting exploits of Cameron Bancroft and Ashton Turner overcame a couple of strange happenings in their win over the Sydney Sixers.

The Scorchers were praised by Sixers captain Moises Henriques for their sportsmanship after the home side allowed the late replacement of Justin Avendano with Jack Edwards after the bat flip on Sunday.

However the cricketing gods didn’t seem like they wanted to reward the Scorchers when Michael Klinger was dismissed early in the run chase off a seventh ball that should never have been bowled.

While a 98-run partnership in 62 balls between Bancroft (87 from 61 not out) and Turner (60 from 30) ensured the Scorchers chased down the 178 to win with seven wickets in hand and seven balls remaining, it was a dramatic evening at Optus Stadium.

It all began shortly after the bat flip which was won by Scorchers captain Turner, who sent the Sixers to bat.

Sixers’ batsman Avendano had been set to open the innings but suffered some back spasms in the warm-up.

The Scorchers could have held firm and made him play but instead they gave the all-clear for Edwards to take his spot.

He opened the innings and scored 17, with Sixers captain Henriques later thanking Turner and Scorchers coach Adam Voges.

“I’m very grateful for that, it was good sportsmanship,” Henriques said.

“Justin Avendano went down with a back spasm just after the toss and they were well within their rights not to let us replace him.”

But Karma didn’t appear to be on the Scorchers’ side when Ben Dwarshuis bowled a seven-ball second over of Perth’s innings.

Klinger hit the seventh ball straight down the throat of Jordan Silk at third man to fall for two and continue his poor season to date.

He has now scored just 115 runs at 14.4 in eight matches.

His coach Voges wasn’t in the mood to praise umpires Geoff Joshua and Simon Fry afterwards.

“We actually knew it was the seventh ball as well but unfortunately the umpires didn’t,” Voges said.

“I guess when you are the batting team usually you wouldn’t mind a seventh ball in the over, but unfortunately we’ve come off the wrong end of it.

“Maxy was probably more disappointed that a short, wide one went down third man’s throat more than anything. It wasn’t ideal but it’s the job of the umpires to count the number of balls in the over.”

A Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed the mishap but said nothing could be done about it.

“It appears there was a miscount of balls in the over, and the seventh ball was allowed by umpires,” they said.

“As the ball was bowled it is deemed live and consequently the decision stands.

“The incident will be followed up in Cricket Australia’s general match review process and feedback will of course be taken on board.”

with AAP