'Horrible': Shane Warne leads outrage over 'embarrassing' BBL farce
Another night of the T20 Big Bash League tossed up more umpiring howlers, which sparked further calls for DRS to be introduced from Aussie spin legend Shane Warne and the cricket community.
The T20 clash between the Strikers and the Scorchers didn’t quite reach its potential after Perth's miserable BBL tournament has continued with a horror batting collapse in their 71-run loss.
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Chasing 166 to win, Perth's batsmen imploded to be bowled out for 94 in 15.2 overs on Monday night.
Perth remain winless after four matches while the Strikers jump from fifth to top spot with their bonus-point triumph at Adelaide Oval.
Adelaide posted 8-165 with opener Phil Salt top-scoring with 51 from 31 balls and Rashid Khan adding a late flourish with 29 from 13 deliveries.
But it was two umpiring decisions that had commentators Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist bemused.
The first occurred when Jhye Richardson appeared to trap Rashid Khan in front for LBW.
A quick delivery hit Rashid right in front on the back pad deep in the crease, but the spinner surprisingly survived the appeal.
“How could you not give that out,” Symonds said.
Second BBL umpire howler
Only a few balls later in the 18th over, Richardson appealed again after he thought he trapped Matt Short again on the pads in front.
This time the batsman was given out, but replays appeared to show Short had collected the ball with his bat first.
“I reckon that’s just come straight off his cricket bat. Oh goodness me,” Symonds said.
“I reckon they’ve just got to sit down and use the technology that’s there. This can’t keep happening, it’s not a good look for the game – and there is technology there that they can use that cuts it out.”
The pair of umpiring decisions prompted a fierce reaction on social media, which included a spray from cricket great Warne.
Warne labelled the umpiring mistakes ‘embarrassing’ and called for DRS to be introduced.
I’m sorry but who is in charge of the umpires in Australia ? Every game we see horrible mistakes & it’s embarrassing for the BBL completion ! The big bash is a wonderful tournament but it’s fast becoming a joke and could ruin players careers. Please can we have DRS immediately !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 28, 2020
No one likes to criticise the umps as it’s a tough job-we know that. But whilst these howlers continue, what do we do ? Say, everyone makes mistakes & accept it ? CA have to implement DRS immediately or we won’t attract big international players & the BBL won’t be taken seriously
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 28, 2020
So what do we think? 🤔
We think the umpire has clearly got both decisions wrong! 😬 DRS would easily sort this issue! 👀 #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/C0zMH6YUZu— Third Man Cricket (@ThirdManCrickUK) December 28, 2020
What a shocker of an over from that umpire. Absolute nightmare 😢 #bbl10
— Nick McGrath (@nickmcgrath4) December 28, 2020
OMG - has it happened again? #doublehowler 😳
— Jamie Cox (@jamiecox1969) December 28, 2020
Same over, same umpire
Out you go son, nowhere near that #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/bfLkELvWkQ— Robbie B (@cricketpuntery) December 28, 2020
OMG another two absolute LBW howlers in BBL. They seriously can’t get it that wrong 🙈 it’s hurting the game now. It’s so so bad. It’s that embarrassing CH 7 not even showing the replay. Two balls later the square up to make up for the previous error which is equally as bad.
— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) December 28, 2020
The quality of umpiring in #bbl10 is pathetic. Third umpire should intervene when the replays clearly contradict the on-field decision. #askbrian @7Cricket
— Prasan ®™ (@CoolPrasan) December 28, 2020
Technology in sport automatically makes referees/umpires lazier because they know they always have it lean back on! The BBL is proving what happens when you don’t have it as a safety net!
— Cameron Luke (@camluke) December 28, 2020
BBL under fire to introduce DRS
The BBL has come under fire over the last week to introduce technology to help umpires after a string of controversial decisions.
On Sunday night, Hobart Hurricanes batsman Wil Parker was given out caught behind when it was a free hit.
This followed Tom Cooper surviving an LBW appeal, which appeared plumb.
“In the public domain of BBL followers and supporters, people are very keen to see DRS come in, in some capacity,” Gilchrist added at the time.
“I know Cricket Australia are certainly aware of that discussion and the dialogue that’s going around and they’re working out what the best way forward is.”
with AAP
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