The 2021-22 edition of the Big Bash League is currently underway in Australia. The Challenger Match of the playoffs match happened earlier today featuring the defending champions Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers. The Strikers batted first in Sydney and posted a 167-run total on the board.
Number five batter Jonathan Wells was the top-scorer for the Adelaide-based team as he scored 62 runs off 47 deliveries for the team. Matt Renshaw played a brilliant cameo of 36 runs at number six, while number three batter Ian Cockbain scored 48 runs off 42 balls for Adelaide Strikers.
Sean Abbott was the best bowler for the Sydney Sixers. He took three wickets in his spell, while Steve O’Keefe took a wicket in his four-over spell. In reply, the Sixers scored 170/6 in 20 overs and won the crucial match by four wickets. Opening batter Hayden Kerr was the star for the home side as he played an unbeaten knock of 98 runs.
Fans should note that Kerr’s catch was dropped by Adelaide Strikers was on 16. He then played a match-winning knock and ensured that the Sydney Sixers did not disappoint the home fans. However, the match was very close, and some street smartness from Sixers helped them win the match.
Sydney Sixers played their assistant coach in the match
Ahead of the match, Joshua Philippe tested positive for COVID-19 and was ruled out of the game. Sixers picked assistant coach Jay Lenton in the playing XI as the wicket-keeper. In the last over, Sixers needed 2 runs off 1 ball, but Jordan Silk, the non-striker, had a hamstring problem.
So Sixers swapped him with Lenton, saying Silk was retired hurt. Ultimately, Kerr hit a four and ensured the Sixers did not need to run. Here’s how Twitter reacted to this move:
The @sixersBBL decision to retire Jordan Silk hurt on the final ball caught us all off-guard 🤔 #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/GbU2qfBgBi
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 26, 2022
Silky retires injured in comes Jay Lenton 👊
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) January 26, 2022
Cheats.
— Jamie Briggs (@BriggsJamie) January 26, 2022
“I think it’s a disgrace…” pic.twitter.com/HLTa6EmsCK
— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) January 26, 2022
Underarm was legal too. Still against the spirit of the game.
— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) January 26, 2022
What crap to retire Silk hurt. Absolute dog move by the Sixers #bbl
— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) January 26, 2022
Really poor sportsmanship from the Sixers subbing off Silk for the final ball.
— Scott Phillips (@TMFScottP) January 26, 2022
Thankfully didn’t impact the result, but terrible decision.
Cricket the loser tonight.#BBL
Mark Waugh, after years of calling for batsmen to be retired out when they aren’t in touch in T20 cricket, on Jordan Silk being retired out:
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) January 26, 2022
“It’s within the rules, but it’s probably not in the spirit of the game.”
What? #BBL11
We have NEVER seen this before!
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 26, 2022
The @sixersBBL have retired Jordan Silk hurt for the final ball #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/ZeoVztIfvP
Jordan Silk’s ‘retirement’ is exactly the reason why we should stop wringing our hands about whether Mankad is within the ‘spirit of the game’ attitude #BBL11
— John Hunt (@JohnHunt1992) January 26, 2022
Very smart. It’s in the rules and he was injured.
— Luke Wright (@lukewright204) January 26, 2022
