Sydney Sixers defeated Adelaide Strikers on Wednesday to reach the BBL final.© Twitter
The Sydney Sixers decision to retire an injured batter on Wednesday ahead of the final pitch in a final ball thriller in the Big Bash League (BBL) playoffs sparked a debate within the cricket fraternity. The incident took place in the final over of Sixers’ play-off clash against Adelaide Strikers. Needing two runs on the last ball, Sixers decided to recall injured batter Jordan Silk and send Jay Lenton to the non-striker end. Lenton, the team’s assistant coach, was added to the squad following an outbreak of COVID-19. Hayden Kerr of Sixers scored an unbeaten 98, including a four from the last ball, to take his side to the BBL final.
The @sixersBBL decision to retire Jordan Silk was injured on the last ball and left us all caught off guard #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/GbU2qfBgBi
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 26, 2022
Many in the cricket fraternity believed that the Sixers decision may have been within the rules of the sport, but against the spirit of the game. “It’s in the rules, but it’s probably not in the spirit of the game,” said former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh.
Sixers previously found themselves on the other side of the rules, as their bid to get Steve Smith to play in the playoffs was blocked due to existing rules.
Legendary Australian wicketkeeper batter Adam Gilchrist said Sixers only exploited one line. “My first reaction to this, my gut says I don’t like it,” he said.
“The Sixers have been pressured, it’s been rammed into the Sixers leading up to this latest series: ‘We’re playing by the rules — rules we made up two weeks ago — but we’re adhering to them.’ The Sixers have said “There’s a rulebook there, we’re going to exploit a rule here,” Gilchrist added.
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The move left cricket fans divided on social media, with many criticizing and others praising Sixers for playing by the rules.
Sydney Sixers will face Perth Scorchers in the BBL final on Friday.
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