WATCH | Jese Duffin given out by third umpire in WBBL after replays suggest ball touched turf

The Women’s Big Bash League got off to a brilliant start on Saturday with Sydney Thunders and Melbourne Renegades taking the match right to the wire. After Sydney managed to put up a record total of 200 runs in the tournament’s history, Melbourne gave them a run for their money in the second innings by coming agonizingly close.

Had Renegades’ Jese Duffin been not sent to pavilion controversially in the 17 over, the outcome might have been different. The hard-hitter looked to be in marvellous touch, smashing 12 fours and one six all across the North Sydney Oval ground, before she attempted a cheeky reverse sweep that went to Thunders’ Lisa Griffith at the short third man, who claimed the catch.

Duffin was at 81 runs from 47 balls and with the Renegades standing at 173 runs with three overs to go, Thunders’ record tally looked easily gettable. The field officials went upstairs for confirmation as they didn’t want to take any risk with the game at such a crucial point. However, the video reviews from various angles, which was played in the big screen, remained unclear as it was suggesting that he ball had touched the turf but also that Griffiths had two fingers underneath it.

The fielders and Duffin, however, seemed sure that the decision would go to the batsman and were preparing to resume the innings before the third umpire adjudged her out. The game went on to the last ball though, before the Renegades eventually fell 12 runs short.

“I don’t really want to get myself in trouble, but they sent it upstairs for a reason, I’ll leave it at that… I thought it was up in the air … that’s all part of cricket isn’t it? I saw the replay on the screen, that’s why I sort of stayed out there… You’ve got to get over it pretty quick.” said Duffin when asked about the dismissal.