Big Bash farce: Umpire blunder threatens to ruin season opener – before impressive act of sportsmanship rights the wrong
- Brisbane heat batsman James Pattinson was ruled run out by third umpire
- Players from the Adelaide Strikers sportingly withdrew their appeal mid-match
- Adelaide went on to comfortably win the BBL series opener by five wickets
Players from the Adelaide Strikers displayed an incredible act of sportsmanship in their Big Bash League tournament opener.
Taking on Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night, Heat batsman James Pattinson was given run out by third umpire Greg Davidson.
Replays showed Pattinson was in fact not out, and the Strikers agreed.
In a move rarely seen in modern cricket, Jason Gillespie’s men withdrew their on-field appeal, allowing Pattinson to continue his stay at the crease.
Fans from the Brisbane Heat didn’t hide their displeasure at the third umpire – with the ground booing the decision – Adelaide’s players then sensationally withdrew their appeal
‘It was a unique scenario. I chatted with (teammate) Ben Laughlin and he said ‘what’s the option of withdrawing the appeal?’,’ Strikers captain Colin Ingram said.
‘I didn’t know if it was an option.
‘(But) we could all clearly see it wasn’t out. We thought he (third umpire) pressed the wrong button.’
A Cricket Australia spokesperson said the delay to confirm Pattinson’s wicket was due to a ‘communication issue.’
We experienced some communication issues between the third and field umpires who thought it was a mistake,’ the spokesperson said.
In a move rarely seen in modern cricket, Jason Gillespie’s men withdrew their on-field appeal after replays (above) showed he was clearly not out
‘When it panned out a little longer the Strikers withdrew their appeal and asked the batsman to stay – the right decision was reached.’
The on field drama proved to be fleeting, with Alex Carey’s thumping knock of 70 from just 46 balls steering Adelaide to victory in the final over.
The Strikers also won the tournament’s inaugural ‘bat flip’, which replaced the traditional pre-game coin toss.