Watch: Sydney Sixers’ clever move sparks spirit of game debate

Jordan Silk was retired hurt on the last ball of the game when Strikers needed two runs to win, striking a debate on the spirit of the game. Having a hamstring problem, Silk was sent in to bat at 157-6. Sixers needed 11 runs to win in four balls. He hobbled as he hit the first ball for a single.

Batting at 88, Hayden Kerr hit the next ball for a six. He pushed the next ball for a two, leaving two runs to win on the last ball. Jay Lenton was waiting at the boundary line and Silk was called back by the management.

Kerr flicked the last ball to the deep mid-wicket, the two pushed hard but a misfield allowed the ball to go for a four. Sydney Sixers found a place in the final but stirred a controversy as many felt that calling Silk back was against the Spirit of the game

Moises Henriques, Sydney Sixers’ captain when asked if the move was in the spirit of the game, said, “They’re clearly within the rules of the game. Unfortunately, we had a guy go down with a hamstring, one of the fittest guys in the league, probably something to do with our schedule, five flights in eight days and so many back-to-back games.”

Netizens were not too pleased with the call made by the Sixers. Jammie Briggs reacted by calling them ‘Cheats’ in a tweet. While some were against the call, others called it a smart move. “Very smart. It’s in the rules and he was injured,” wrote Luke Wright.

Here is that moment:

It made total sense.

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) January 26, 2022

Very smart. It's in the rules and he was injured.

— Luke Wright (@lukewright204) January 26, 2022

Cheats.

— Jamie Briggs (@BriggsJamie) January 26, 2022

What crap to retire Silk hurt. Absolute dog move by the Sixers #bbl

— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) January 26, 2022

Really poor sportsmanship from the Sixers subbing off Silk for the final ball.

Thankfully didn't impact the result, but terrible decision.

Cricket the loser tonight.#BBL

— Scott Phillips (@TMFScottP) January 26, 2022

Sydney Sixers will now play the Perth Scorchers in the final on the 28th of January at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.