‘This shouldn’t happen’: Big Bash farce leaves star and legend fuming

Controversy has unfolded in the Big Bash with one captain left seething after they were denied the chance to review a crucial wicket.

Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques was left fuming after the men in magenta were potentially denied the crucial wicket of Glenn Maxwell during Thursday evening’s Big Bash League match against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG.

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The Stars were 4-136 in the 18th over when Maxwell attempted a reverse ramp against Sixers seamer Ben Dwarshuis, with the ball sailing through to wicketkeeper Josh Philippe for a dot ball.

There was a muffled appeal for caught behind, but umpire Simon Lightbody didn’t budge at the non-striker’s end. However, before the following delivery, Henriques was seen arguing with the on-field official as Maxwell motioned towards the venue’s big screen.

Speaking to Fox Cricket on the player mic, Henriques revealed the Sixers weren’t permitted to call for a review because replays of the delivery had been shown on the big screen before the end of the 15-second DRS timer.

Watch the controversial moment in the video player above

Moises Henriques and Glenn Maxwell.

“We appealed, given not out,” Henriques explained.

“We went for the review ... but replays keep coming on too early, and because they put the replay up before the DRS counter, we weren’t allowed to appeal.”

To rub salt into the wounds, Maxwell smacked the following delivery for six and finished unbeaten on 58 from 32 balls.

“If the Sixers have appealed and the replay has come on too soon, and it is out, I think that’s poor form,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket commentary.

“As soon as the replay comes on, it has given the captain an insight into what’s happened, so it’s pretty much done and dusted.

“You can’t get any kind of indication of what’s happened.”

Vaughan continued: “This shouldn’t happen. The replays shouldn’t come on so quickly.

“Surely there has to be a protocol that a replay doesn’t happen until at least 15 seconds after the action has taken place.

“It’s something that shouldn’t really happen at this level.”

Looking at replays of the moment, Vaughan declared: “It looks to me like it takes the glove.”

Moises Henriques of the Sixers. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Article D 3.2.4 of Cricket Australia’s Playing Conditions for the BBL states: “No replays, either at normal speed or slow motion, shall be shown on a big screen to spectators until the 15-second time limit allowed for requesting a Player Review has elapsed.”

A couple of overs later, the Sixers called for a review on an LBW decision against Maxwell, who had attempted a reverse sweep against Dwarshuis. However, despite switching his stance, the Victorian survived because the delivery had pitched outside the right-hander’s leg stump on ball-tracking.

Henriques once again complained to Lightbody after the verdict was handed down, later claiming the umpire had fed him false information.

“I just asked if the LBW rule changes, just as the wide rule changes, when he tries to hit a ball left-handed, and I was told it does,” Henriques said.

“Before the replays came up there, he said, ‘Yes, the rule does change.’

“Maybe he was wrong.”

Earlier in the innings, Henriques vented his frustration with the venue’s speakers blaring music for too long between overs.

“This is frustrating,” Henriques said.

“As usual, we’re just waiting for the music out here, and I’ll probably get fined for the slow over-rate.

“We’re trying to speed these games up so the kids come out ... but then we’re waiting at the end of every over for the music. The game’s finishing too late.”

Maxwell’s heroics ultimately paved the way for the Stars to capture a 16-run victory and keep their season alive.

Originally published as ‘This shouldn’t happen’: Big Bash farce leaves star and legend fuming