Scorchers opener Stephen Eskinazi has been blasted for his “unforgivable” run out where he failed to slide his bat in the Big Bash League final.
Chasing 176 for victory against the Brisbane Heat to seal a record fifth BBL crown for Perth, a “lethargic” Eskinazi was too casual in his approach and it cost him his wicket.
While Cameron Bancroft opted for the full length dive going to the danger end in the fifth over, Heat fielder Max Bryant had a shy to the non strikers and caught Eskinazi short.
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“That’s unforgivable really. That’s just casual,” Fox Cricket’s Mark Waugh said.
“You’ve always got to assume the ball is coming to your end, no matter the situation is in the game.
“That’s un-Scorcher like!
“Brilliant by Max Bryant to have a dart at the stumps.
“You’ve got to slide your bat! He won’t want to see that replay again.
“It’d be a sick feeling for Eskinazi.”
The Scorchers opener was spotted whacking his bat repeatedly as he sat down among teammates on the boundary.
“It was a very, very relaxed effort from Eskinazi,” Fox Cricket’s Adam Gilchrist lamented.
“He must have thought that throw was to Bancroft’s end!
“He wasn’t reaching out and sliding his bat.
“The desperation or lack of in the run! He didn’t exactly put the burners on to get to that end!
“He was quite lethargic and it’s cost him his wicket and opened the door for the Brisbane Heat.”
Heat assistant coach Darren Lehmann described the run out as “nice” when chatting to Fox Cricket.
“It was one of those ones, he probably should have dived in or got in,” Lehmann said.
“We take those ones, with a good direct hit.”
The chase only got worse for the Scorchers when Bancroft holed out in the deep off Michael Neser and Aaron Hardie departed for 17 to leave Perth 3-54 after eight overs.
