The fans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 6 witnessed bizarre scenes during the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers clash when the third umpire Paul Wilson pressed the wrong button. The third umpire gave Sixers opener Josh Philippe out despite the batter making his ground at the non-striker’s end. The decision stunned the on-field umpires, players, and the spectators. However, the third umpire corrected his mistake by signalling ‘not out.
The incident took place in the third over of the Sixers' run chase. James Vince smashed the ball back to left-arm spinner Imad Wasim. The Pakistan all-rounder got his hand on the ball before it hit the stumps at the bowler's end. Wasim and his teammates appealed and the decision was referred to the third umpire. Philipe was not backing up too far and made his ground as it was visible on the big screen.
But to everyone’s surprise, the third umpire signalled out as he pressed the wrong button. On-field umpire Greg Davidson tried to calm everyone down as he communicated with the third umpire. A few moments later the big screen displayed ‘not out’. Melbourne Stars captain threw his hands in the air while smiling as Philippe was given not out.
However, Philippe could not go on to get a big score. In the next over, he got bowled by Scott Boland. He managed to score just nine runs from eight deliveries including a six off Boland in the latter's previous over. On the other end, Vince anchored the run chase. he hit a four in the 13th over off Wasim to reach his half-century from 42 deliveries.
He shared a 99-run partnership for the second wicket with Daniel Hughes who scored 41 runs from 32 balls before losing his wicket to Beau Webster in the 15th over. Vince could not finish the run chase and lost his wicket to Boland in the 17th over. He took the Sixers to the doorstep of victory. The opener scored 79 runs from 57 balls including 12 fours.
Skipper Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk provided the finishing touches as the Sixers beat the Stars by seven wickets with 11 balls to spare.
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