Big Bash highlights more issues with zing bails

Adam Gilchrist has called on cricket to address a concern it can no longer ignore after the Big Bash put the issue under the microscope again.

The bails just wouldn't budge.

Cricket’s zing bails are once again under fire after yet another batsman was spared despite the ball crashing into his stumps during the Big Bash last night.

Perth won’t be complaining after thumping Brisbane Heat by 40 runs on the Gold Coast but Scorchers quick Matthew Kelly has every right to feel aggrieved for being robbed of Zahir Khan’s wicket.

Late in the Heat’s pursuit of Perth’s 6/149, the No. 11 inside edged a yorker onto his shoe before the ball rolled back onto the stumps — only for the bails to stay on.

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There was a red flash indicating at least one of the bails — which light up when dislodged — had popped off briefly, before settling back into its groove and giving Khan a life on 10.

This is an issue that has plagued cricket in recent times with bails refusing to budge more and more regularly, even when the stumps have been struck firmly.

Khan’s pegs were hit so hard the ball deflected off them and rebounded square of the wicket towards point.

Aussie legend Adam Gilchrist said something needs to be done to fix the recurring problem.

“This is getting ridiculous,” Gilchrist said in commentary for Fox Cricket. “Something’s got to be done here.

“It’s got to be looked into and changes have got to be made because that’s a legitimate form of dismissal.

“You’ve created the error — the ball has smashed into the stumps.”

Fellow commentator Mark Howard added: “There needs to be an inquiry — it’s happening so often.

“That has smashed into the bail.

“We saw it in the World Cup a few times — it can’t be coincidental.”

Last year’s ODI World Cup put the zing bails under the microscope after multiple batsmen escaped when the bails stayed put.

During Australia’s game against India in the group stage, David Warner was spared when he inside edged Jasprit Bumrah back onto his stumps.

That match was just the Aussies’ third of the tournament but by then Warner was already the fifth batsman who had benefited from the bails not coming off.

One-day skipper Aaron Finch said at the time the trend was “unfair” on the fielding side while Indian captain Virat Kohli added: “This is not something which you expect at the international level.

“You literally have to smash the stumps really hard … and these are fast bowlers. These are not your medium-pace bowlers.”

Former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds said in commentary for Fox Sports last night the weight difference between zing bails and traditional wooden ones was significant because the technology needed to make bails light up made them heavier, and therefore more difficult to dislodge.

CHECK OUT THE INCIDENT IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Zahir Khan was given a lucky escape.

LYNN APOLOGISES FOR BIG BASH LET-DOWN

Chris Lynn felt compelled to apologise after Brisbane’s batting effort in an ugly Big Bash loss to Perth created some unwanted history on New Year’s Day.

The Heat fell to 7/51 in pursuit of Perth’s 6/149 at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast before Zahir Khan (19 not out) became the first No. 11 to top score in a BBL innings.

He and No. 10 Ben Laughlin put on 31 for the final wicket as the Heat managed 109 in 18.4 overs and slumped to 1-3 this season.

All three losses have come in run chases, with the Heat making 4/209 in their only win when batting first.

Lynn stumbled to 14 from 21 balls as wickets fell cheaply and easily around him.

“I’m truly embarrassed by that batting performance,” he told Channel 7. “It’s not time to panic, but maybe we have to change our preparation, or our batting line-up or maybe give the guys a rocket.

“You’ve got to stay calm … you don’t mind when blokes are getting caught on the fence to their strengths but when they’re getting out to their weaknesses … that’s the part that really p***es me off.”

Lynn has been stubborn in his approach to the Heat’s all-or-nothing batting until now, happy to back his top-heavy order to fire regularly enough to get results.

But he said changes may come in Hobart on Friday, with opener Max Bryant potentially in the crosshairs after he walked past Ashton Agar’s first ball to be stumped and set the tone of the failed chase.

Lynn said Zahir and Laughlin, who also took 2/18 and 2/32 respectively, had shown their top order how it was done with the bat.

“We batted basically with our eyes closed … it just wasn’t good enough. We’ll have to have a hard look at ourselves and rebound quickly,” he said.

The Heat will welcome AB de Villiers later this month when Tom Banton departs, with the South African slated to play the last six games and be available for a potential finals series.

Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will also replace countryman Zahir.

“The dynamic will change massively,” Laughlin said of their arrivals. “It’s be nice to be top of table undefeated, but these longer tournaments are about getting on a run at the right time.”

With AAP