Test great Shane Warne has demanded Cricket Australia pay up to implement a decision review system (DRS) in the Big Bash League after the latest umpiring howler in the tournament.
Brisbane Heat batsman Tom Cooper was left dumbfounded after he was given LBW by umpire Tony Wilds in Wednesday’s clash with Adelaide at the Gabba.
Replays showed Cooper had got a massive edge on to his pads when attempting a switch hit off Strikers’ bowler Danny Briggs but with no review system in the BBL he had to go.
Compounding the pain, the Heat went on to lose the match by just two runs.
Warne was incensed in the commentary box by the decision, which came 24 hours after a similarly obvious error in the Sydney Thunder’s win over Perth on Tuesday.
In that match Usman Khawaja survived an appeal for caught behind trying to drive Andrew Tye, with replays showing the batsman had clearly edged the ball.
Umpire Simon Lightbody could be heard telling Tye he believed Khawaja’s bat had hit the ground, despite the bat being nowhere near the turf.
AAP understands it would cost $2 million to have DRS in place at all games and that is a price Warne says CA simply has to pay.
“There’s something that has to be done. This is just ridiculous,” Warne told Fox Sports.
“Enough is enough. We’ve seen too much of this.
“If we want to take this competition seriously, you’ve got to have DRS.
“Cricket Australia just have to pay for it. You just can’t have these decisions.”
This week’s blunders are just the latest in a series of umpiring mistakes to beset this season’s competition.
Khawaja was on the wrong end of another poor call 10 days ago in the Thunder’s loss to Melbourne Stars, while Perth skipper Mitch Marsh was the victim of an lbw howler in the Scorchers’ washed-out clash with the Stars last week.
Brisbane’s Jimmy Peirson, who nearly snatched a remarkable win for the Heat with a 36-ball 69 not out, felt the decision to dismiss Cooper was crucial and joined the chorus for a review system to be introduced.
“I would like to see it personally,” Peirson said. “Let’s see what happens next year.
“Obviously it’s a cost to the game, I believe, but for the viewer as well it’s another thing they can watch at home.” (7news)
OH. DEAR. ♂️
Brisbane Heat's Tom Cooper is given out LBW, despite clearly hitting the ball onto his pads…
Shane Warne's reaction at the end tells you everything #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/V0pqnlhPjv
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) December 23, 2020