BBL: Unluckiest run out ever? And the biggest six?
It was a regulation seven-wicket win by Big Bash ladder leader Brisbane Heat over the Hobart Hurricanes, but the match will live on in cricket memory for two remarkable moments.
Brisbane’s Chris Lynn clubbed a massive six that cleared the Gabba grandstand, while Hobart’s George Bailey managed to get himself out via one of the unluckiest run outs imaginable.
Lynn was the match winner for the Heat, smashing 84 runs off 50 balls, with half of his runs coming from his seven 6s.
The best of them came in the seventh over when lifted a 148kmph rocket from paceman Shaun Tait over midwicket and out of the ground. Broadcaster Channel 10 estimated that the ball travelled 121 metres.
His captain, Brendon McCullum, himself a noted big hitter who scored 72 off 35 balls, described the six as ”massive”.
“I haven’t seen one that big since Mark Waugh hit Dan Vettori out of the WACA,” the former New Zealand captain said.
Lynn’s power hitting ensured the Heat overhauled Hobart’s 9/173 for the loss of just three wickets and with nearly four overs to spare.
You can't be serious! This is a video game!
That is absolute #LYNNSANITY pic.twitter.com/SeXqxlCDaH
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 30, 2016
The other memorable moment came during Hobart’s innings.
With the Hurricanes 3/60, Dan Christian cut the first ball of the eighth over into the outfield for what looked like a comfortable three runs.
But as Christian’s batting partner, George Bailey, attempted to slide his bat over the crease, it became stuck in the Gabba turf and dislodged from his grasp, leaving him stranded by a flat throw from the Heat’s Alex Ross.
Unlucky for George Bailey but a big wicket for the Heat! #BBL06 pic.twitter.com/LUZHx4Y02A
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 30, 2016
Some effort from Bailey to have his bat & 95% of his body over the line and still get run out! #JackKnife #BBL pic.twitter.com/v6gPO1hlqx
— Jason Tan (@JSLTan) December 30, 2016
“His bat got stuck, his bat got stuck, they’re going upstairs (for a video review),” said commentator and former England batsman Kevin Pietersen. “Oh no, no he’s out, he’s out!”
Christian was Hobart’s top scorer with 33 off 23 balls.