BBL 11 Semi-Final: Controversy Erupts After Sydney Sixers Retire Injured Batter For Final Ball; Fans Question 'Spirit Of The Game'

A South Australia Cricket Association official even called the Sydney Sixers "cheat". Many fans also called it against the spirit of the game.

New Delhi: Sydney Sixers defeated Adelaide Strikers by 4 wickets in a nail-biting last-ball thriller at Sydney Cricket Ground. Batting first, Adelaide Strikers scored 167 runs in their allotted 20 overs, in reply, Sydney chased down the target after losing 6 wickets.

Sixers' opener Hayden Kerr hammered an unbeaten 98 runs against all odds to secure the win on the final ball. With this win, Sydney Sixers have secured a spot in the BBL 2021-22 finals where they'll lock horns with the Perth Scorchers in Melbourne.

The Sixers showcased great fight, there is no doubt about it, but  controversy erupted after they decided to sensationally retire hurt Number 8 batter Jordan Silk just before the final ball of the match with them needing two to win. Some fans are calling it against the spirit of the game.

Jordan Silk, who had injured his hamstring while fielding against Adelaide, was hobbling while running between the wickets. Seeing this, before the last ball was bowled, Sydney Sixers coach called Jordan Silk off the field, who was then standing on non-striker's end. Jay Lenton replaced Jordan.

Kerr, batting on the strikers' end, hit a four off the last ball to get the Sixers over the line.

What do the rules say?

A batter can retire anytime during the match - it doesn't even have to be retired hurt.

A South Australia Cricket Association official even called the Sydney Sixers "cheat". Many fans also called it against the spirit of the game. However, it needs to be understood that if any decision is taken according to the rules, then it does not go against the spirit of the game.

"You can retire blokes, at the end of the day you can retire, it's not actually a big issue," Adelaide Strikers' captain Peter Siddle told Fox Cricket. "As soon as I brought it up with the umpires, obviously I was disappointed at the time, but it's just a retirement…sometimes it happens at crucial times. It's just part of the game."

Sixers' captain Moises Henriques explained the reason behind sending an injured Silk to bat at No. 8.

"We sent him in at No. 8 to try to get a couple boundaries in that last over. As soon as he wasn't able to face a ball and we needed a person to run, we knew he couldn't run so we just thought we'd retire him and put out someone who can," Moises Henriques told Fox Cricket.