Brisbane Heat skipper Brendon McCullum will miss his side’s next Big Bash League match unless he can successfully appeal his penalty for his side’s slow over-rate against the Perth Scorchers.
The Heat were found to have taken six minutes too long to complete their 20 overs in the field even after allowances were made for a couple of incidents which slowed the over-rate.
Perth batsman Sam Whiteman was struck in the head by a bouncer early on in the Scorchers’ innings, while the third umpire took plenty of time to review a catch involving McCullum and teammate Joe Burns.
However, even with those incidents taken into account, the Heat were found to have taken too long to bowl their allotted overs.
As a result, each player in the side has been fined $1,000, although that amount will be halved to $500 should the Heat accept the sanction without an appeal.
As it is the second time the Heat have taken too long in the field – Brisbane were found to be five and a half minutes over their limit during their December 30 win against the Hobart Hurricanes – skipper McCullum is set to miss the Heat’s next game against the Stars unless he can successfully appeal the penalty.
The suspension of McCullum would be a serious blow for the Heat, who are already reeling following the loss of star batsman Chris Lynn to Australian duty. Without the big-hitting Lynn, the Heat were unable to overcome the Scorchers, falling to a 28-run loss less than a week after he had guided them to a nine-wicket win over the Perth side.
Losing hard-hitting opener McCullum would only further weaken the Heat’s batting line-up, however the side’s leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson said the loss of their skipper would also be a major loss for Brisbane’s bowlers.
“I think in a way it would be a bigger loss for us bowlers,” Swepson said.
“The mindset he has out there and the calming nature he has out there would be tough to be without.”
The Heat have 14 days to register an appeal, however McCullum’s suspension will stand until a successful appeal has been completed.
Jacko
Guest
You keep posting that but why do you demand that he captain different to all the others? And with him being a successful international Cricket T20 captain he knows a bucket load more than you ever will.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Maybe McCullum won't change the field every ball now.
Jacko
Guest
Pathetic. Take away the guy that the fans want to see...good one.....We are expected to watch 25 overs in 2 hrs in tests and nothing is done. This is bullshit and will cost fans....Iwonder if this will affect the audience size...Tv or live...I wont watch the heat without McCullum and Lynn
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Oh god Heat is well and truly burnt now! No Lynn, No Baz. It's going to get ugly
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
So, in the "That's entertainment" format of the game, over rates matter, but in test cricket teams can get away with bowling 12 overs an hour without fear of repercussions. I am all for captains being held to account for slow over rates in the BBL, but why should 80 overs a day be acceptable for test cricket. The 30 minutes extended play at the end of the day, which used to be used to catch up lost time is now, almost always used to try and get 90 overs or as close to it as possible done before we send the paying public home. Players are too precious and administrators need to grow a pair of balls. If the ICC won't act, perhaps Cricket Australia should take a stand and issue the expectation to our test captain that 15 overs an hour is the figure that must be reached. About time somebody did the right thing by the fans who attend the games. 12 overs an hour with a spinner operating is pathetic. Perhaps our aim should be to reach number one in all formats of the game and lead the test playing world in over completion rates. Maybe then more lost time could be made up if if rain impacts the test match. And there is talk of four day test matches... Good luck with that.