Marcus Stoinis was named Player of the Match for his innings in Melbourne Stars’ New Years’ Eve victory over Adelaide Strikers, but there are suggestions he should have been dismissed without facing a ball.

Adelaide Strikers claim they were deprived of the chance to bowl out Stoinis for nought, using the Big Bash League’s novel ‘timed out’ playing condition.

Ordinarily, if a batter does not reach the crease in a timely fashion after the fall of a wicket, they can be given ‘timed out’ if the fielding side appeal. The mode of dismissal is cricket’s rarest, but the BBL has added a twist to it. In the Australian competition, if a batter is not ready to receive a delivery within 75 seconds of the departure of the previous batter, then the bowler gets the chance to bowl at an unguarded set of stumps.

Adelaide Strikers felt that Stoinis was not in position in time, according to Adam Hose, fielding at the time.

“To be honest I was at cover for his first ball and I’m pretty certain he timed out,” Hose said. “75 seconds and he wasn’t ready. So, there was a bit of confusion there with the umpires.”

Hose suggested the umpires were alerted to Stoinis’ tardiness, but went on to say that they were around the umpires after Stoinis first delivery.

“We were all appealing… I’m not quite sure what happened there. I’m pretty certain his time was up…He’d faced his first ball by the time we managed to get around the umpire and ask the question, but I just hope that if it is the rule that we can play by it.”

Stoinis could be heard discussing the matter with the umpires on the stump mic, and after the game explained why he was not at the crease when he should have been. While he got to the middle in good time, he pointed to the field not being in place as to why he stood to the side, but was apparently alerted to the fact that he should have been at the stumps regardless.

“I checked centre, got there, and was standing off because I saw the field moving,” Stoinis said. “But I actually didn’t even know that I had to stand there regardless. There were a few times there where the fielders were moving when we were taking guard and we were ready. My understanding was that while the field is moving … I’m not going to stand there until I can see. Apparently, you have to be facing up.”

The BBL playing conditions read as follows: “The incoming batter must, unless time has been called, be ready to receive the balll within 75 seconds of the dismissal or retirement…If the incoming batter does not meet the requirement…then the batter will be required to: Stand to the side of the pitch (minimum of five metres from the line to the stumps on the legside) for the first delivery of their batting innings and allow the bowler to deliver the ball.”

Stoinis went on to hit 74 off 35 balls, including 28 off one Henry Thornton over. His late onslaught pushed Melbourne Stars up to 186-7, enough to secure victory by eight runs.