Mackenzie Harvey claimed a stunning catch in Melbourne Renegades’ Big Bash League (BBL) clash against Sydney Thunder, but Twitter users spotted a potential missed no-ball which could have seen the dismissal scrubbed out, had the umpires checked the bowler’s front foot.
The incident occurred on the last ball of the fourth over of Sydney Thunder’s chase of 173 to win in 17 overs. England international Alex Hales had got the pursuit off to a blistering start, smashing 45 off his first 18 balls. He looked to make it 49 off 19, carving right-arm quick Mitchell Perry into the off-side, only for Harvey to dive and take a screamer.
Mackenzie Harvey is the best fielder in the world, according to Australia captain Aaron Finch.
On this evidence, he might have a point 😱#BBL10 pic.twitter.com/BB5s1dSfXX
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 1, 2021
“I said it the other night, I think he’s the best fielder in the world,” said Australia and Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch.
But as soon as the video was posted onto Twitter, fans started to question the position of Perry’s front foot as it landed in his delivery stride, with the
Credibility of tournament a problem. No DRS and no review of front foot before decision given. Joke comp.
— Peter Fitzgerald (@FitzSW) January 1, 2021
The umpiring in #BBL10 is awful and they are not being helped in the slightest by not having DRS and the use of technology.
This is the bowler bowling the ball that got Alex Hales out. It was a brilliant catch but that looks a tad suspect to me! pic.twitter.com/GQpQylYkcA
— James Buttler | Cricket Badger Podcast 🏏🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger) January 1, 2021
The on-field umpires didn’t choose to ask the TV umpire to check whether the delivery was legal or not. While the innovation of having all front-foot no-balls called off the field automatically is increasingly being used in top-level cricket, it is yet to make its way to the BBL.
Had the dismissal been overturned, Sydney Thunder would have had a red-hot Hales gearing up to face a free hit. As it was, three of the next four overs passed without a boundary being scored as Callum Ferguson’s side regrouped. However, Sydney Thunder rallied to claim victory by seven runs on the DLS method, with a decisive rain interruption coming at the end of the 12th over.
