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'Horrendous': Mitch Marsh rages after 'shambolic' Big Bash moment

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Mitch Marsh (pictured right) yelling towards the umpire after he was given out despite missing the ball (pictured left).
Mitch Marsh (pictured right) raged at the umpire during the Big Bash semi-final after he was given out despite replays showing he missed the ball (pictured left). (Images: Channel 7)

Mitch Marsh may be facing a fine for dissent, but it didn’t stop fans siding with the allrounder after an umpire howler during the Big Bash semi-final against the Sixers.

There was drama all the way up to the very last ball as the Sydney Sixers defeated the Perth Scorchers in a convincing nine-wicket victory.

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Marsh's reaction after his caught-behind dismissal on two put him at risk of being booked for dissent.

But the cricket community once again questioned how the BBL hasn’t adopted the Decision Review System (DRS), after it was clear Marsh had missed the ball.

English stars Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad, watching from abroad, weighed in on the debate after watching Marsh direct a furious spray towards the umpire.

England superstar Stokes posted on Twitter that "it's frustrating to watch something like that happen when it can sooooo easily be fixed".

Veteran spinner Steve O'Keefe, whose desperate appeal convinced Sam Nogajski to raise his finger, sympathised with both the umpire and Marsh.

"Given the success of the tournament and that players' careers are on the line, absolutely the more technology we can use (the better)," O'Keefe told reporters.

"Players and umpires want as many correct decisions as possible. So yes ... we're going to have to look at that (DRS).

"With that in the background, you'll probably get umpires making better decisions as well. Knowing they can relax a bit if they do get one incorrect."

Fans also weighed in after labelling the decision “horrendous”.

The DRS hasn’t been introduced into the BBL because the required technology would cost approximately $2 million per season.

Marsh is among numerous BBL players and pundits to have already suggested DRS should be part of the league.

"I'd be all for it ... the players would welcome it with open arms," he said earlier in the tournament.

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O'Keefe made the point that umpires, like players, have been stuck in a biosecurity bubble throughout summer.

"They're under as much stress as players," the Sixers tweaker said.

"They're away from families.

"They'd love to call it back and say, 'I got that wrong'."

Stephen O'Keefe celebrates with team mates after claiming the wicket of Mitch Marsh during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval.
Stephen O'Keefe celebrates with team mates after claiming the wicket of Mitch Marsh during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval. (Photo by Brendon Thorne - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Englishman James Vince, whose unbeaten 98 earned man-of-the-match honours and a home final for his team, noted the majority of Twenty20 competitions have DRS.

"I'd support the idea of DRS," Vince said.

Perth captain Ashton Turner defended Marsh's outburst.

"Umpiring is something that has been in a lot of headlines," Turner said.

"We have to cop it on the chin ... I'm sure Mitch will reflect on his actions.

"I'd be absolutely staggered if he is fined or suspended.

"I've seen worse carry-ons in this tournament."

with AAP

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