Cricket Australia (CA) has withdrawn its support of Andre Russell’s black bats after complaints were made in the Big Bash opener between the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers.
Russell’s painted bat caught the eye upon arrival at the crease, and CA initially passed it as fit for use, citing rules that allowed a bat to be a natural colour, the colour of the club’s primary colour or black.
But on closer review, and after discussions with match officials revealed the bat had left black marks on the ball, it changed its mind.
“The match officials provided feedback to Cricket Australia that the bat used by Andre left black marks on the match ball,” head of the Big Bash Anthony Everard said in a statement.
“As a result, we have decided to withdraw our approval for Andre to use the bat that was used last night as the colour solution used by the manufacturer was discolouring the ball.
“Should Andre, or any other BBL or WBBL player for that matter, wish to use a bat with a different colouring solution to the one used last night that doesn’t result in the discolouration of the match ball, they will be permitted to do so subject to Cricket Australia being satisfied that the bat won’t compromise the integrity of the game, which we believe discolouring the match ball does.”
Russell will need to delve into his kit bag for Thursday night’s game against the Melbourne Renegades.
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