Hobart Hurricanes opened their account in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 with a thrilling 8-run victory over Perth Scorchers at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Monday.
The Scorchers went off to a flyer during their chase of 173, thanks to their overseas import Faf du Plessis, but he lost his wicket during the fourth over bowled by rookie spinner Patrick Dooley. Though, his dismissal created a bit of controversy as the Proteas star was seen expressing a slight frustration at Hurricanes’ wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for his comments behind the wicket.
The left-arm Dooley cleaned up the South African, but during the live and replay, Wade could clearly be heard yelling just before Du Plessis went to hit the ball. It was certainly hard to determine exactly what Wade shouted, but he appeared to have said, “bowled him” at one point just before the ball hit the stumps. To that point, Du Plessis had blasted 32 off just 15 balls and was looking set to cruise through.
Right after his dismissal, Du Plessis looked frustrated, and it appeared he wanted to say something to Wade, who ran towards his teammates to celebrate the dismissal. Clearly, Wade was caught up in the moment and perhaps did not realise what he had done. So, after the game, he issued an apology to the former South Africa skipper.
“I think he was disappointed. I called ‘bowled’ maybe a little bit early. I don’t know how early it was, but I think that’s why he was annoyed… apologies Faf,” Wade said while speaking to Channel 7.
Here is the video of Wade’s cheeky comment:
Paddy Dooley is pumped and rightly so!#BBL12 pic.twitter.com/XT4dzZDxC7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 19, 2022
Speaking about the game, the Hurricanes, after batting first, posted 172/8 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a brilliant half-century from captain Wade and a late flourish from Tim David. Wade smashed 51 off 29 balls, including five fours and a couple of sixes; David struck 46 from 28 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.
In reply, the Scorchers could only manage to reach 164/8, losing the contest by eight runs. Josh Inglis, with 62 off 37 balls, was their top run-getter but couldn’t take his team over the finish line. Dooley, who got rid of Du Plessis, went on to pick overall four wickets in the game while conceding just 16 runs in his quota of 4 overs.
