BSP-02 Thunder coach fumes after lights go out at the Gabba

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ZCZC

BSP-02

CRICKET-AUS-BBL-LIGHTS

Thunder coach fumes after lights go out at the Gabba

BRISBANE, Australia, Jan 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Fuming Sydney Thunder coach
Shane Bond has urged a review of the rules after farcical scenes in
Australia’s Big Bash League when a game was abandoned after the lights went
out.

The Thunder had plundered 186 for four against Brisbane Heat in the
Twenty20 competition on Thursday evening, anchored by a century from veteran
Shane Watson.

In reply, the Heat were reeling at 10 for two in pursuit when two
floodlights failed in one part of the Gabba — which is due to host a day-
night Test next week between Australia and Sri Lanka.

After an hour of waiting the match was abandoned and the points split, but
Bond felt the lighting was sufficient to carry on.

“There are grounds around the world that have worse lighting even with this
light tower out, so that was disappointing,” he told reporters.

“It’s a bad look for the competition and I think there needs to be some
reflection or review … particularly when you have the ability to finish a
game of cricket.”

Bond said the match could have been reduced to a 15-over game “which I
think everyone would’ve been happy with”.

“We made an offer. We said we would in good faith play the entire (rest of
the) game and bowl only our spinners.

“But then the excuse from the match referee and umpires was that conditions
were now unsafe.”

BSS/AFP/MRI/0817 HRS