'Speechless': Cricket fans blow up over 'ridiculous' BBL moment
The Big Bash semi-final was a one-sided affair with the Perth Scorchers demolishing the Brisbane Heat, but the game got off to an unlikely start.
Heat captain Chris Lynn and Scorchers captain Ashton Turner joined the officials on Manuka Oval for the traditional bat flip to see who would pick to bat or bowl.
‘WHAT THE HELL’: Cricket fans stunned by 'world's weirdest action'
OUTED: Aussie coach names player at centre of toastie furore
But in an unlikely turn of events, the first two bat flips landed on the edge.
Lynn shared a laugh at the scenario, which is more likely these days with the thick bat edges.
However the third flip yielded a result.
But fans took to social media to slam the traditional bat flip as a ‘ridiculous” look for the gentleman’s game.
Speechless! I am without speech #BBL10 https://t.co/SrR3xIr4Yq
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 4, 2021
Has the big bash not finished yet? And they're still doing that cheap bat flip stunt?
— Andrew (@shortflyslip) February 4, 2021
The bat flip. It was meant to be an exciting moment to attract the fans. It's almost always pre-recorded on TV and held (as it has to be) before most spectators have arrived at their seats. Get rid of this gimmick @BBL.https://t.co/ZEZyjIMqwj
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) February 4, 2021
The bat flip is ridiculous. 🙄 https://t.co/lr6nLBqYfY
— Ian Chant 🇦🇺🇨🇦🐉👮🏾♂️👮 (@chant_ian) February 4, 2021
How can this garbage be taken seriously?
— William Harradine (@WilliamHarradi6) February 4, 2021
Thoughts???
A bat flip instead of coin#Cricket #India https://t.co/NHdZxxFRZP— Life_Ki_Vidambana (@LifeKiVidamana) February 4, 2021
Not unprecedented but stupidity,instead of doing all this nonsense bring drs next season.
— Vijay (@Vijay75197878) February 4, 2021
Former Aussie quick Mitchell Johnson also took to social media to blast the procedure ahead of the game.
“I’m guessing sponsors will be plastered all over the bat. What next, one hand one bounce, electric wickie, 6 & out, unless hit out of the stadium,” he wrote, according to Fox Sports.
“Let’s worry about game development & other important things that matter. Is the baggy green top priority these days?”
Scorchers set up Sixers clash
The Scorchers, having suffered a humbling nine-wicket loss to the Sixers in their qualifying final, crushed Brisbane Heat by 49 runs in Thursday night's rain-affected contest.
Livingstone whacked 77 off 39 deliveries, helping rocket Perth to 1-189 from 18.1 overs in Canberra.
Showers halted play and prompted a premature end to the innings, setting Brisbane a revised target of of 200 from 18 overs.
It was an imposing equation, even before captain Chris Lynn departed in the fourth over.
It looked near-impossible come the eighth over, when the Heat crashed to 4-57 following Marnus Labuschagne's dismissal to veteran legspinner Fawad Ahmed.
The required run-rate exploded as the Scorchers turned the screws, restricting Brisbane to 9-150.
Jason Behrendorff, who snared 2-19 and was on a hat-trick after removing Lynn and Joe Denly, set the tone for Perth's star-studded attack.
Livingstone's match-winning knock was followed by an unbeaten 75-run partnership between Mitch Marsh (49 not out) and Cameron Bancroft (58 not out).
Jason Roy's ankle injury, suffered during a soccer warm-up game, meant former Test opener Bancroft was recalled for his first BBL game since January 19.
The pressure was on Livingstone to start with a bang, especially with fellow Englishman Roy an enforced omission.
Livingstone didn't disappoint, smashing six sixes as he brought up a half-century in just 27 balls.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.