Hobart Hurricanes wicketkeeper Matthew Wade appeals as the Brisbane Heat's Alex Ross makes his crease but is given out for obstruction. Photo / AAP
Hobart Hurricanes wicketkeeper Matthew Wade appeals as the Brisbane Heat's Alex Ross makes his crease but is given out for obstruction. Photo / AAP
Cricket Australia has stood by the controversial decision to give Brisbane Heat's Alex Ross out for obstructing the field in their Big Bash loss to Hobart following a review.
Brisbane were still bemused by the decision yesterday as Ross claimed he was trying to run away from the ball whenit struck him and coach Daniel Vettori called for officials to be held accountable.
Chasing 180 for an unlikely victory, Heat batsman Ross was hit by a return throw while scampering for a second run, the ball deflecting off him into the stumps as he made his ground. Initially appealing for a run-out, Hobart then queried if Ross had purposely changed his line and obstructed the field, to which the third umpire agreed.
The incident led to an animated conversation between both captains post-match, with Brendon McCullum accusing Hobart counterpart George Bailey of acting outside the spirit of the game in continuing the appeal.
But following a review by CA's match officials department, a spokesman said the right decision had been made.
McCullum disagreed with the decision, labelling the rule a grey area and said Bailey would come to regret his decision to appeal.
"I don't believe it was the right decision; we're not righteous on our stance on the spirit of the game but every now and then you get a chance to stand up for the spirit of the game and I think tonight George missed an opportunity," McCullum said. "He, in time, will perhaps live to wish he made the other choice."
Rules state a player can be given out for wilfully obstructing the fielding side by word or action. However a batsman is not out if that obstruction is accidental or to avoid injury.
"I don't really care what the rules are, to me it is one of those grey areas like the Mankad," McCullum said. "To me it falls into the spirit of the game and I was making that point to George. Sometimes there are opportunities which are more important than the two points."
McCullum and Bailey, who have both captained their countries, are sure to have an interesting reunion in Hobart on Monday when the teams meet in a well-timed rematch that has playoff ramifications given both sides now sit equal in fourth on eight points.
"We debated the philosophical merits of one another's points," McCullum said of the pair's post-match debrief.
He, in time, will perhaps live to wish he made the other choice.
"It was a great game of cricket and a shame it was marred by that."
Bailey was somewhat sheepish in explaining his actions post-game, in what was a fourth-straight win that put them equal with the Heat on eight points.
"When I saw the replay I saw that Rossy had changed his angle and we asked 'has he changed his line, can you check for obstruction?'," Bailey said.
McCullum didn't blame the loss on the call, instead credited D'Arcy Short's BBL-record knock of 122 as a deservedly match-winning one for the visitors.
