The opening over of the Melbourne Renegades’ run chase on Tuesday night was packed with controversy, most notably when umpires missed a no-ball that robbed the Adelaide Strikers of a free hit at Marvel Stadium.
Needing a victory to cement their place in the Big Bash League finals, the Renegades were set a 143-run target after Strikers wicketkeeper Alex Carey slapped a classy 65 (47) in the first innings.
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Part-time spinner Matt Short bowled the first over of the run chase, with Renegades opener Martin Guptill smacking the second delivery over the square leg boundary for six. The damaged ball had to be replaced, causing a delay.
The third delivery was struck in the same direction, but England international Adam Hose held onto a tough chance near the boundary rope, with Guptill departing for 8 (3).
Before Short bowled his fourth delivery, Strikers captain Travis Head placed himself at leg slip, meaning there were six fielders on the leg side, which is not permitted in white-ball cricket.
“This is pretty rare, this,” injured Australian batter Glenn Maxwell said on Fox Cricket commentary.
“There’s six on the leg side here for Matt Short.”
Sam Harper charged down the pitch towards Short, with the ball ballooning off his thigh guard towards Head, who held onto a stunning catch.
The Renegades wicketkeeper was given out caught, but replays showed the ball had evaded his bat, with the on-field decision overturned following a DRS review.
Short’s fifth delivery struck Harper on the pads, with the batters scampering through for two leg byes, but before the off-spinner could continue his over, Renegades captain Aaron Finch was seen waving his arms from the sidelines.
Umpires conferred and found six Strikers fielders were on the leg side the previous delivery, belatedly signalling a no-ball and awarding the Renegades a free hit.
“I don’t think you’re allowed to have six on the leg side in white-ball cricket. I’m pretty sure that’s a rule,” Maxwell continued.
“This has been happening for the last three deliveries. It should have happened the first ball Harper faced, when the big appeal was. Umpires missed it.
“The last ball should have been a no ball, and this one should have been a free hit. It was a big decision missed.
“I’ve tried to do it as captain before, and the umpires generally tell you. It’s a huge miss.
“There’s absolute chaos out here.”
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Harper couldn’t put away the free hit, managing a quick single after edging the delivery past the wicketkeeper towards short fine leg. Short’s eventful over dragged on for nearly 10 minutes before they finally swapped ends at Marvel Stadium.
The drama thankfully didn’t impact the final result, with the Renegades chasing the target with 10 balls to spare courtesy of Finch’s unbeaten 63 (54).
The result means the Renegades will almost certainly host a Big Bash final this weekend, but their opponent depends on the outcome of Wednesday’s matches in Launceston and Melbourne.
