Sydney Thunder captain Callum Ferguson calls for DRS introduction

Sydney Thunder captain Callum Ferguson has issued a dire warning after Usman Khawaja copped a “howler” in their season opener.

Callum Ferguson of the Sydney Thunder.

Sydney Thunder captain Callum Ferguson has joined a chorus of current and former players calling for the DRS to be introduced to the Big Bash League.

The DRS debate reignited on Saturday afternoon when Thunder opening batsman Usman Khawaja was controversially given out caught behind against the Melbourne Stars.

Replays showed daylight between the ball and Khawaja’s bat, but the dejected batsman had to make his way back to the pavilion for seven.

The Thunder eventually lost the match by 22 runs, with the Stars securing their second-consecutive victory.

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Speaking to ABC Grandstand on Sunday, Ferguson argued the BBL would fall behind rival T20 tournaments if the DRS was not introduced.

“We certainly like to think we’re in the top couple of T20 tournaments around the world,” Ferguson said. “But on the basis of not having little things like DRS in the place, I feel like we’re falling behind certainly the IPL.

“We’d like to think we’re on level pegging, but we’re not.

“If we’re trying to be as good as we possibly can be, we’ve got to have little things like DRS in.

“It has to come in; it’s just a matter of when.

“I don’t care if they bring it in halfway through the tournament. Let’s just get it in.”

Callum Ferguson of the Thunder celebrates after scoring a half century.

Ferguson started his BBL campaign with a half-century at Manuka Oval, top-scoring for the Thunder with 54 off 35 balls during Saturday’s clash.

But the 36-year-old conceded he was “not overly pleased” his superstar opener had copped a “howler” in the third over of the run chase.

“Far too often in the last few years, we’ve seen the best players in the world fall afoul of, let’s just say howlers,” Ferguson said.

“It robs the fans, and it robs the people at the ground of the entertaining value of someone like Usman or Chris Lynn.

“I remember Liam Livingstone last year getting an absolute howler in the first game that he played for the Scorchers. Travelled half the world and got a stinker first ball.”

.@calferguson12's impassioned plea to introduce DRS to the BBL after Khawaja's controversial dismissal.

"Let's just get it in & stop robbing fans of getting to see the best players in the competition."

Engaging cricket hour w/ @matt_clinch on @abcsport. pic.twitter.com/UeSwrTiyYR

— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron23) December 13, 2020

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Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist echoed Ferguson’s comments during Fox Cricket’s coverage of Saturday’s T20 match in Canberra.

“We don’t want to see the biggest names in this tournament, having to leave due to errors that could very quickly be overturned,” Gilchrist said. “The technology is around now.

“Get rid of the Time Out as far as I’m concerned — that’s a waste, we don’t need it.

“Get the DRS in and utilise it to make sure we get the decisions correct.”

The Thunder will take on the Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval on Monday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7:15pm AEDT.