Joe Clarke and Beau Webster were controversially given six for shots that hit the roof of Docklands Stadium as the Melbourne Stars’ BBL finals hopes ended with a tense derby defeat.
England opener Clarke scored 59 off 37 deliveries but the Stars cruised to victory in a six-run defeat by the Melbourne Renegades on Saturday night.
The result left the Stars (3-8) languishing at the bottom of the ladder and strengthened the Renegades’ (6-5) grip on a finals spot.
The biggest point of contention was the shots with skis on the retractable roof of Clarke and Webster’s Docklands venue.
Both would have resulted in catching chances for the Renegades but the Stars were gifted six runs in BBL playing conditions.
The incidents reignited the debate over the rule.
Under the previous regulations, which retired great Mark Waugh said should be reinstated, they would have been considered dead balls.
Joe Clarke’s 59 off 37 balls included a six from the roof. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett/Cricket Australia)
“The fact is that it has cost them [the Renegades] 12 runs that’s bad,” Waugh said on the Fox Sports broadcast.
“At least it should be a dead ball. It shouldn’t be six runs.
“Twelve runs is a huge difference in this game, let alone the fact that they would have been out.
“Not much you can do about it, but there’s no way it has to be an automatic six.”
Clarke was on 16 off 10 balls before the first incident and took advantage of what was effectively a lifeline, hitting two fours and five sixes.
Stars coach David Hussey, whose brother Mike Hussey hit the roof while playing one day for Australia against a World XI in 2005, welcomed Clarke’s six “free” runs.
“I think it got Joe going as well, which is good,” Hussey told Fox Sports.
The incidents frustrated Renegades stand-in captain Aaron Finch.
Ironically, it was a shot by Finch in 2013 that caused the rule to be changed in the first place.
“It would have been two easy catches tonight. They’re both straight,” Finch told Fox Sports.
Aaron Finch asked if a six was fair if the ball went straight up and hit the ceiling. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett/Cricket Australia)
Will Sutherland also questioned the ruling when interviewed after the game.
“I think I let out a few expletives when they got a few on the roof, but those are the rules and they’re the same for both sides,” Sutherland said.
“But I hope they change it now after this.
In the end, those extra 12 runs didn’t affect the result, although the Stars looked to be cruising to victory when they needed just 21 runs from the over four with six wickets in hand.
But they fell apart and tottered to 7-156 in pursuit of 163 for victory as Kane Richardson (2-17), Tom Rogers (2-45) and Sutherland (0-39) tightened the screws late
Renegades spin duo Fawad Ahmed (1-20) and Ruwantha Kellepotha (1-33) also helped turn the tide in the back half of the innings, combining for 12 consecutive dot balls in three overs.
Sam Harper’s third consecutive half-century (51 off 36) had helped lift the Renegades to a competitive total of 7-162 after being sent in to bat.
Jon Wells (44 off 24) also made a big contribution.
The Stars bowlers shared the workload, with Liam Hatcher (2-34), Adam Zampa (1-27) and Luke Wood (1-29) all getting in on the action.
Brody Couch took 2-40 from three overs after being called into the side as a replacement for rested front-rower Nathan Coulter-Nile.
AAP/ABC