Cricket News

‘Disgraceful Call’ – Fans fume over controversial ‘no ball’ call during Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes in BBL 12

Published on January 5, 2023

The match 30^th of the Big Bash League 2022-23 between Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes was full of exhilarating T20 action. The match turned got etched in the history books forever as Adelaide Strikers pulled off the highest successful chase in BBL history. However, the game was also marred in controversy as a ‘no ball’ decision during the second innings went in Adelaide’s favour.

The incident took place on the fourth ball of the 17^th over bowled by Faheem Ashraf who bowled a waist-high full toss to Adam Hose which he smashed to long-on. The ball went way up in the air as Tim David came running in and took a sharp catch. The on-field umpires checked with the third umpire to see if the ball was too high. After much deliberation, the third umpire ruled it a no ball and Hose was given a reprieve.

The moment turned out to be a crucial one in the context of the game as Hose smashed two more sixes in the over to get 22 from it bringing the equation down to 36 from three overs.

Watch the no ball here:

HMMMMMM 🤔
It's been called a no-ball. What do you think? #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/nzJ3syTSn2
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 5, 2023

Earlier in the match, Adelaide Strikers captain Matthew Short won the toss and invited Hobart Hurricanes to bat first. Hurricanes happily accepted the offer as the openers Ben McDermott and Caleb Jewell added 88 runs for the first wicket. Jewel scored a sensational 54 off 25 balls while McDermott smashed 57 off 30 balls.

Matthew Short stars in historic chase

Zak Crawley also came to the party and scored a magnificent 54 off 28 balls to take the Hurricanes to a mammoth score of 229/4 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply to Hurricanes’ total, the Strikers lost their opener Ryan Gibson on the score of 8. Captain Matthew Short and Chris Lynn added 124 runs for the second wicket.

Lynn departed after scoring 64 off just 29 balls. Adam Hose also played a brilliant knock of 38 off 22 balls. However, the star of the day was captain Matthew Short who scored an unbeaten 100 off 59 balls to script a historic. Strikers’ reached their target with three balls to spare as Matthew Short deservedly got the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on the controversial no ball call. Here are some of the Tweets:

Bro, does nobody understand that above the hip is a no ball?
— Harvo (@HarvoOCE) January 5, 2023

Fixed league if strikers win
— Logan (@Logan34337069) January 5, 2023

It's not a no ball it's legal delivery
— Mohammad Mohsin (@Mohamma37316719) January 5, 2023

3rd umpire has just cost hobart this game. That is the worst no ball call I have seen. I don't blame Wade for being angry and i hope they lodge a formal complaint after the game
— TassieTrainNerd #VoteYes (@TassieTrainNerd) January 5, 2023

They also ran a single while the ball was in the air so if it was a no ball Hose should not have been on strike for the free hit#gamechanger
— John Simpson (@johnsimpson05) January 5, 2023

If he is standing upright at the popping crease as the rule says, it's not too high. Disgraceful call.
— Andrew (@coolingandy) January 5, 2023

im not sure its a no ball but what some people dont realize is its the crease line that matters not where the batsman is, if the 3rd umpire believes that ball was above waist hight at the crease line its a no ball
— James Luke (@james_luke08) January 5, 2023

Why can't ball tracking be used here? It's actually very simple as its governed by laws of physics as you base it on never bouncing or being hit so getting the exact height at the crease isn't hard
— Peter Benei ⬇️ (@peteb1975) January 5, 2023

It was a bad delivery but an awful call to overturn it at such a crucial stage of the game. Not sure how that’s conclusive
— Dan (@discosnitz) January 5, 2023