The BBL cannot ignore its biggest issue as commentators and fans blasted one of the worst blunders you will ever see.
The Adelaide Strikers are on top of the BBL ladder after a 71-run win over the Perth Scorchers despite another major umpiring drama.
The DRS debate has once again reared its ugly head as Matt Short was given out LBW despite hitting a leg glance for four.
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It was a stunning moment that left the commentators flabbergasted after another shocking call.
Earlier Phil Salt got the Strikers off to a perfect start with a 31-ball 51 but the side were soon struggling at 5/110 off 15.5 overs.
But Rashid Khan and Short came to the crease.
Khan survived what looked to be a pretty plumb LBW that hit him deep inside the crease but a matter of balls later, Short was much less lucky as he hit a yorker directed at his toes but was inexplicably given out by the umpires.
It's far from the first crazy decision in the 2020/21 BBL season and has once again strengthened calls for the Decision Review System to be brought into the competition.
Shane Warne was quick to jump on social media to pan the decision.
"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.
"No one likes to criticise the umps as it’s a tough job-we know that. But whilst these howlers continue, what do we do ? Say, everyone makes mistakes & accept it ? CA have to implement DRS immediately or we won’t attract big international players & the BBL won’t be taken seriously".
OMG - has it happened again? #doublehowler 😳
— Jamie Cox (@jamiecox1969) December 28, 2020
OMG another two absolute LBW howlers in BBL. They seriously can’t get it that wrong 🙈 it’s hurting the game now. It’s so so bad. It’s that embarrassing CH 7 not even showing the replay. Two balls later the square up to make up for the previous error which is equally as bad.
— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) December 28, 2020
Umpires are taking the piss in the BBL. glance for 4 = lbw
— Darren Parkin (@Darren_Parkin) December 28, 2020
Oh wow.
— Mark Stevens (@Stevo7AFL) December 28, 2020
Not out lbw a few balls earlier, then that.
I think that’s the worst decision in history of bbl ...
Four runs!!! @7Cricket
Oh my word 🤦â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ¤¦â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ¤¦â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ¤¦â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ¤·â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ¤·â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ¤·â€â™‚ï¸ðŸ¤·â€â™‚ï¸@BBL Amazing scenes this over.
— Dimi Mascarenhas (@dimimascarenhas) December 28, 2020
Can we find someone with a spare $2 mil to fund DRS in BBL ASAP plz #bbl10
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) December 28, 2020
That non-LBW call may be the worst decision of this BBL season so far.
— Garrett Mundy (@GarrettIvo) December 28, 2020
And there have been a few corkers.#BBL2020
In Fox Cricket commentary, the call immediately "sounded woody" according to Adam Gilchrist.
"Just sort of heard a very woody sound," he said before seeing the replay. "That hasn't touched his pad."
Andrew Symonds added: "That's come straight off his cricket bat. Oh goodness me."
Symonds felt like enough was enough.
"I reckon they've got to it down and just use the technology there because this can't keep happening. It's not a good look. It's not a good look for the game and there is technology there that they could use that cuts it out."
Gilchrist said: "I think we can rant and rave and go on and on and on but in the public domain of BBL followers and supporters, people are very very keen to see DRS brought in some way."
He said that Cricket Australia would be aware of the discussion but admitted it would be difficult to bring it in.
"But after tonight, everyone's played four games haven't they?" Symonds asked. "So could actually use that rule as of tomorrow."
"I think common sense could prevail," Gilchrist said.
Mel Jones said there would be a discussion to bring in the DRS for the howler.
But Gilchrist added there was no point in continuing to pile onto the umpires.
"We all make so many mistakes out on the field and in the commentary box and every facet of our lives," he said.
He did agree that if they could bring it in and all teams agree, it would help alleviate the frustrations on the players.
Thankfully it didn't decided the game as Khan went on to hit a 13-ball 29 with three sixes as the Strikers hit 8/165.
The Scorchers started well having hit 35 off the first three overs but when the wicket of Josh Inglis fell, the rest collapsed in a heap as the side was bowled out for 94 in 15.2 overs.
Only Jason Roy's 21 and Liam Livingstone's 22 stood up in the crushing defeat as the Strikers go to the top of the ladder and the Scorchers stay on the bottom.
After 10 overs, the Scorchers were 5/63 still needing 104 runs to claim the club's first win of the season.
It appears to be an uphill battle as the Strikers have taken wickets in a clump losing the five wickets for just 28 runs.
The sixth wicket fell with just one more run on the board.
The Adelaide Strikers got off to a quick start thanks to Phil Salt's 31-ball 51 but hit a speed bump in the middle of the innings.
At 57 after 7.1 overs, Matthew Renshaw was run out for three in brutal circumstances when Alex Carey smoked a drive and caught Renshaw out of the crease.
Having fallen to 5/110 off 15.5 overs when Jono Wells was caught behind, Rashid Khan unleashed a brilliant cameo.
The recently crowned T20I Player of the Decade slammed three sixes in his 13-ball 29 as he pushed Adelaide to 8/165.
And Perth captain Ashton Turner admitted "There's no reason for that" when he revealed what his team would do.
The Scorchers have added Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone to try and lift the side off the bottom of the ladder with Cameron Bancroft dropping back to the X-Factor.
Some new faces in our eleven 👀
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) December 28, 2020
We've won the flip and will bowl first 🔥
Bancroft & Paris our ❌ Factor subs. Let's do it! #BBL10 #MADETOUGH pic.twitter.com/jmjbpt0VFH
Our XI for tonight is in and so is @rashidkhan_19!
— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) December 28, 2020
Merry Christmas, Strikers fans 💙🖤 Now to get the dub #BlueEnergy #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/IB5H7RC5Iy
Rashid Khan will play for the Adelaide Strikers against the Perth Scorchers.
Khan, the Afghan import who has starred in the competition over the years, in the no. 1 ranked T20 bowler in the world.
But a hamstring injury in the Heat's last start against the Brisbane Heat had him in doubt.
However, he will take his place in the Strikers team with the 22-year-old tweaker playing.
Andrew Symonds gave him props in commentary, arguing he could have sat out the game but wanted to be out there.
Khan is expected to leave the Strikers in early January however with Afghanistan playing ODIs between January 18-23 against Ireland.
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