Adelaide Strikers' hard-hitting batter Chris Lynn smashed as many as four sixes in the clash against Melbourne Renegades at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, on December 29. One of Lynn’s sixes in the innings hit the roof of the stadium and landed inside the boundary but the on-field umpires signalled it a six.
Usually, when the ball hits the roof of the stadium in BBL and lands inside the boundary, it is signalled as a dead ball. However, the change in rules before the season leaves the decision to on-field umpires whether they want to signal a dead ball or a six.
In Lynn’s case, the ball was completely headed for the top tiers had it not been the roof. The umpires Bruce Oxenford and Gerard Abood were of the same opinion as Lynn smashed the first six of the innings against Will Sutherland.
Lynn went on to smash four sixes and as many fours in his 34-ball 56 before getting dismissed by Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. He shared an 82-run partnership for the second wicket with opener DArcy Short. The left-handed batter scored 54 runs from 47 balls including five fours and a six. After a mini-collapse, Jamie Overton and Harry Nielsen's cameos helped the Strikers post 177/6 after Matthew Short won the toss and opted to bat first.
In the run chase, Quinton de Kock was dismissed for a golden duck whereas Joe Clarke got retired hurt as he struggled with his hamstring. Meanwhile, Jake Fraser-McGurk was going all guns blazing in the powerplay overs. Fraser-McGurk reached his half-century from just 22 balls with two sixes in the seventh over. Shaun Marsh joined the party as well. The veteran batter smashed Cameron Boyce for two sixes and a four. Fraser-McGurk's catch was dropped in the 11th over. However, he could not do much damage after that and was dismissed by James Bazley. His 37-ball 70 featured five fours and four sixes.
Marsh continued to hit big. Meanwhile, Jonathan Wells departed for a single-digit score. Marsh reached his half-century with a boundary from 29 balls. In the same over, Jamie Overton dismissed Mackenzie Harvey. Sutherland contributed with a six-ball 11. Clarke returned to bat but had to retire again after Marsh fell. Marsh scored 54 runs from 33 balls including three fours and four sixes. In the penultimate over, the Strikers won the game with eight balls to spare and four wickets in hand.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
