Jordan Silk was at the centre of a controversial dismissal for the second time in a week after being given out caught behind off the third last ball of Sydney Sixers’ run chase against Melbourne Stars.
Five days ago, Silk’s dismissal via a boundary catch by Michael Neser – while totally within the laws of the game – prompted debate online. Today, Silk was more clearly the victim in a moment of misfortune.
With the Sixers requiring two to win off the last three balls – having needed 11 from the final over – Luke Wood dug a bouncer into the pitch which Silk sought to upper cut towards deep third.
Silk seemingly missed the ball but then quickly attempted to scramble through for a single. The wicketkeeper Joe Clarke gathered the ball, threw it to the striker’s end missing the stumps before Wood pickup the ball and hit the stumps at the other end. There was a lot happening.
The Stars opted for a review and from the off-side side-on view, Snicko showed that there was some noise right as the ball passed Silk’s blade. However, a front-on angle showed that Silk’s bat was some distance away from the ball.
Despite this, TV umpire Phillip Gillespie adjudged Silk to be out, much to Silk’s bemusement who later said: “I’m not sure how they’ve come up with that [given out].”
The decision proved to be inconsequential in the end as Silk’s replacement at the crease Dan Christian hit his first ball for four to seal the game for the Sixers. At the end of the game, speaking to the host broadcaster, Silk said: “I heard a noise as it went past the bat, but the front-on camera showed I was a foot away from it, I reckon I was run out at the other end anyway.”