On Sunday the clash between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League saw controversy emerge as Scorchers opener Michael Klinger was dismissed on the ‘seventh’ ball of the over after umpiring hiccup during the game.
The incident happened in the second over of the Scorchers’ innings. The Ashton Turner-led side was chasing a target of 178 runs but got off to a shaky start as Klinger was dismissed cheaply. He was dismissed on 2 off five deliveries by Ben Dwarshuis. The opener was caught by Steve O’Keefe and the on-field umpires went up to check with the third umpire if it was a clean catch.
The replays showed it was a clean catch and the decision flashed on the screen. However, neither the umpires nor the batsman realised that it was the ‘seventh’ legal delivery of the over. Klinger had to walk back, however, the incident proved inconsequential in the chase as Scorchers managed to win the game with seven balls to spare.
Scorchers coach Adam Voge was not so impressed with the hiccup and slammed the umpires. He termed the incident as not so ideal one. “Obviously it’s the umpires’ jobs to count the number of balls in an over,” he said on Channel Seven.
