Andre Russell's 'black bat' creates controvesry in Big Bash League

Photo: Twitter @CricketAus New Delhi: The opening match of the sixth edition of Big Bash League was marred with a slight controversy when Sydney Thunder all-rounder Andre Russell came out with a bat that was black in colour. Coming in at No. 5, Rusell went on to score 9 off 7 deliveries in a losing cause as the Sydney Sixers beat the Thunders by 9 wickets but the discussion carried on well after the match whether his black bat was legal or not. Cricket Australia cleared the bubble by stating that it was well within the rules and regulations of The Big Bash League. "A player can use a coloured bat subject to CA approval. The bat may be the same colour as the Club’s primary colour, or black. CA retains the right to withdraw approval in its absolute discretion. The umpires can also request a player change the bat if they believe it affects the integrity of the match." A Cricket Australia (CA) spokesperson was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia’s official website. This however, is not the first instant when a player has used a painted bat in the Big Bash League. Previously Chris Gayle had batted with a golden bat for Melbourne Renegades and Aiden Blizzard had used a bright green one during the fifth edition of Big Bash last year. The black bat first came into limelight when players in the West Indian domestic T20 league started to use it regularly. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting was involved in a controversy when he had used a graphite bat made by bat manufacturers Kokaburra, which was later banned by the ICC.