Only a few captains have managed to use the Decision Review System (DRS) to its best effect. Often, captains use DRS even though they are nowhere near sure that the batter is out. Also, batters opt for DRS when their wicket is crucial or when it is the last wicket of the innings just to test their luck. But Sydney Thunder captain Chris Green took one of the worst reviews in Big Bash League (BBL) history.
On the last ball of Brisbane Heat’s innings, Pakistan pacer Zaman Khan bowled one full on the pads of Spencer Johnson who had hit a boundary off the penultimate delivery. The ball went past the inside edge and hit him on the pads. Johnson scampered for a single off the last ball to take Brisbane's score to 151. But Green appealed for lbw to the umpire’s surprise.
One of the two on-field umpires, Gerard Abood could not hold back his laughter as he sent it upstairs for review. There was no bat involved and the ball-tracking technology showed that the ball was pitching way outside the leg stump before hitting him on the back pad. The on-field decision stayed as Johnson remained not out.
Meanwhile, Green and his teammates had already left the field and reached the dugout to get ready for the run chase. Abood and Bruce Oxenford had to wait till the big screen at Manuka Oval, Canberra showed not out.
Green who made his T20I debut against India earlier this month ended up on the losing side. Chasing a target of 152, Sydney suffered a collapse and were bowled out for 131. Green scored 30 runs from 20 balls including five boundaries but wickets kept falling and the required run rate was out of the grasp.
Earlier, Green won the toss and opted to bowl first. Brisbane skipper Colin Munro was the top scorer with 46 runs from 33 balls. Contributions from middle-order batters helped Brisbane post 151/7. Green conceded 30 runs from his quota of four overs and picked up one wicket. Tanveer Sangha was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets while conceding 21 runs.
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