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Cricket world in uproar over 'disgraceful' scenes in Sheffield Shield

Usman Khawaja, pictured here furious after Queensland's Sheffield Shield cricket clash with NSW ended in a draw.
Usman Khawaja was furious after Queensland's Sheffield Shield cricket clash with NSW ended in a draw. Image: Getty

Aussie cricket fans have blasted 'disgraceful' scenes in the Sheffield Shield after Queensland were robbed of victory against NSW due to bad light.

The Queensland openers needed 26 runs to win from the final five overs at Sydney's Drummoyne Oval on Friday afternoon in what seemed like a formality.

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Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw reduced the target to 16 runs after taking 10 from the first two overs, but the umpires then made the controversial decision to take the players from the field due to the light reading at 6.34pm AEDT.

A furious Usman Khawaja came onto the field to ask the umpires why they couldn't continue, as NSW players swiftly made their way to their dressing room delighted to have secured a draw.

Burns and Renshaw also refused to leave the field, obviously of the opinion that the light was fine to continue.

Khawaja could be seen arguing with a number of NSW players, with the Queensland captain understandably ropable.

Usman Khawaja, pictured here arguing with umpire Greg Davidson during Queensland's clash with NSW in the Sheffield Shield.
Usman Khawaja argues with umpire Greg Davidson during Queensland's clash with NSW in the Sheffield Shield. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) (Mark Kolbe via Getty Images)

The bails were flicked off the stumps by umpires Greg Davidson and Simon Lightbody minutes later to bring an end to an extraordinary day's play.

When Bulls leg-spinner Mitch Swepson (5-113) removed Nathan Lyon to dismiss the Blues for 256, victory had seem assured for Queensland.

Queensland all-rounder Michael Neser summed up the mood in the camp.

"It is not the result we wanted. We fought so hard throughout the game," he said.

“The result is frustrating, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

"We were so close to that win. If we could have (bowled NSW out) a couple of overs sooner it might have been a different result."

NSW batter Moises Henriques was left stranded on 99 after featuring in two match-saving stands.

"We were just doing our best to stay out there for as long as we could," Henriques said of his resistance.

Cricket fans blast 'disgraceful' Sheffield Shield farce

Henriques and Matthew Gilkes (48) batted through most of the first two sessions, which included a break for rain, in a 112-run stand.

With Henriques at the crease the Blues went to tea on 5-211 before the game took a rollercoaster turn.

Bulls pacemen Neser and Mark Steketee then captured 3-2 in the space of 12 deliveries, with Joe Burns taking two diving catches at slip and wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson snaring one of his own to remove Sean Abbott (5), Baxter Holt (0) and Ben Dwarshius (0).

Chris Tremain (5 off 68 balls) combined with Henriques to hold up the Bulls for 27 overs in a 39-run ninth-wicket stand that was ultimately decisive.

Earlier the Blues had made 246 in their first innings and the Bulls replied with 6-477 declared on the back of big scores by opener Matt Renshaw (200) and allrounder Neser (136).

The result didn't go down well with cricket fans, with many labelling the decision to come off the field 'disgraceful'.

with AAP

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