Big Bash: Players will be able to review dud umpiring decisions next season

The good news: there will be a player review system in the BBL next season. The bad news: fans and players may have to endure more dud calls over the next six weeks.

Matt Short has been the victim of a Big Bash umpiring howler but not in this game against the Sixers. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Players will be able to challenge umpiring decisions in the Big Bash next season, but the introduction of the full-scale Decision Review System used in international cricket is unlikely.

The need for some sort of assistance for the on-field umpires came into focus again on Monday night when Adelaide Strikers batsman Matt Short was given out leg before despite hitting a leg glance for four.

It was the latest in a series of howlers in the BBL this season which have created a chorus of calls for DRS to be introduced or the T20 competition could risk becoming the laughing stock of world cricket.

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Matt Short is given out leg before despite hitting the ball.

Among other dud decisions this season have been Sydney Thunder batsman Usman Khawaja being given not out despite a thick edge behind, with the umpire in charge defending his decision by saying his bat hit the ground.

Last Sunday night a Hobart Hurricanes batsman was given out off a free hit, although he stayed at the crease.

Shane Warne was quick to call for DRS after the Short decision on Monday night in Adelaide.

“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,” he tweeted.

The million-dollar cost of implementing the DRS technology for all games has been singled out as the reason it is not in play.

Big Bash boss Alistair Dobson confirmed some sort of review system would be used next season but said it would be “BBL in nature”.

“We’ve seen a few (decisions) in the last week or two of the competition which would probably be overturned with some sort of review, but I think bringing something in mid-season is problematic,” Dobson told Fox Sports.

“Especially something as substantive as a review system. That said we are working through options.

“I would like to think there is something we would bring in for next season, if we could find the right model and make it work.

“It’s challenging to change the rules and conditions to that degree mid-season. It is something we are reviewing.

The umpires are under enormous pressure in the BBL.

“I‘m not necessarily committed to the full international model, if there are other options that can be BBL-specific.”

The Indian Premier League began allowing one referral per match in 2018, while the DRS has also previously been used in the Caribbean Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League and Pakistan Super League.

Dobson also defended the quality of the umpiring this BBL season, which has lacked international-quality officials who have been required to stand in the Test series between Australia and India.

Originally published as Big Bash: Players will be able to review dud umpiring decisions next season