Melbourne Renegades star import Marlon Samuels has become the subject of another Big Bash League throwing controversy, this time involving his bat and Australian spin star Shane Warne.
In a heated clash, the Renegades sealed top spot and a home semi-final by thrashing Warne’s Melbourne Stars in front of a record crowd of 46,681 at the MCG on Sunday night.
The previous Australian Twenty20 domestic crowd record was 43,125 for a Victoria-Tasmania game at the MCG in January 2010.
Chasing the Stars’ disappointing 9-146, Renegades skipper Aaron Finch (67 not out from 47 balls), the BBL’s top-scorer, ensured his side won with seven balls and nine wickets to spare.
But teammate Samuels ended the night with his face bloodied by a Lasith Malinga bouncer after a verbal barrage by the Stars towards the West Indian allrounder.
Samuels’ bowling action was questioned by Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann earlier in the competition and he was also involved in a heated exchange with Adelaide Strikers coach Darren Berry last week, with Lehmann having been sanctioned and Berry facing possible disciplinary action.
There could be more code of conduct charges stemming from Sunday night.
Late in the Stars’ innings, batsman David Hussey gestured unhappily towards Samuels after the West Indian seemingly impeded the Victorian when he turned for a run, although Samuels tried to make light of tugging his shirt.
But there was no hint of friendliness when Samuels started batting.
Warne, bowling at the time, marched to Samuels at the end of his over, tugged at his shirt, then swore at him and pointed angrily, seemingly remonstrating over the earlier Hussey incident.
Next over, after Samuels was peppered with short balls by Clint McKay, a Warne throw struck the West Indian on the body.
Samuels responded by hurling his bat down the pitch, with the umpires having to step in to restore calm.
Asked about the incident by Fox Sports commentators, Warne said: “What are you meant to do when someone throws a bat at you?”
Two overs later, Samuels’ night was over, after he top-edged a Malinga short ball into his helmet and had to leave the field with blood running down his face.
The Stars can still ensure a semi-finals berth by beating the Sydney Thunder at the MCG on Tuesday night.
Post-match, Warne denied trying to hit Samuels with the ball and passed off their altercation as a “heat of the moment thing”.
“I’m more disappointed with the loss to be fair,” Warne said, adding the Stars’ batting performance was not up to scratch.
Finch said Samuels was “pretty severely injured” by the Malinga delivery.
He was taken to hospital for scans with bleeding under his eye.
Finch said he had tried to help Samuels keep his cool.
“Marlon was getting pretty fired up and so was Warney … I don’t really know what to think of it. I haven’t seen anything like that before,” he said.
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This will be interesting. If it was anyone but Warne they'd be rubbed out for at least a season and fined heavily, but CA will be killing the golden goose (double entendre intended). Warne obviously assumes he can do what he likes with impunity, having been through John the bookie and Joe the cameraman scandals.he's incredibly lucky that Samuels or Finch didn't cause him need to call him plastic surgeon. Samuels certainly isn't a Viv or Richie Richardson - either of those guys wouldn't taken Warnes crap. To be honest Warney and the Big Bash are so fake anyway, they may have started rock n roll wrestling on the pitch for all I care. In the wash up I'm a bit disappointed in Aaron Finch because he's led the Renegades so well, on top of his great form. If he'd have been more pro-active in these incidents he could have vastly improved his future Aus T20/ODI captaincy credentials. He should have confronted Warney and told him to put up or shut up. Oz cricket is screaming out for some leadership and again it was sadly lacking last night. Warne will get a slap on the wrists unless the media go to town on him. His post match interview was incredibly cringe worthy. Some role model!