Tim David’s foolish act did not hinder Hobart Hurricanes from registering an easy win over Melbourne Stars in the ongoing BBL season. The side won by 24 runs in the end despite the Hurricanes being given fine penalty runs in the game. David scored an unbeaten 22 off 12 balls in the game.

Facing the penultimate ball of their innings, Tim David went for a quick brace and ended up not plugging his bat over the crease at the non-striker’s end while trying to go for the quick second run. It was caught on replays by the camera. While it remains to be seen if this was deliberate from David, the on-field umpires slapped his team with five penalty runs under Law 18.5.1.

Stars will start their innings with 5 free runs courtesy of this… #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/lz9tRxNLLB

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 24, 2021

David kept the strike for the last ball and earned a total of five runs from the delivery. It was called a no-ball for height which yielded his team a couple of runs. David also managed to score two runs of the free-hit ball and took his team’s score to 180/6.

Tim David Scored An unbeaten 22 Off 12 Balls

The Melbourne Stars started their chase with five runs on the board. However, the team fell well short of the eventual target of 181. They reached only as far as 156/9 in their 20 overs. Their big hitters Glenn Maxwell and Andre Russell scored just 12 each and failed to hit big when required.

Hurricanes keeper-batsman Peter Hadscomb later said that he felt that his team was done in by the penalty.

“Tim was just trying to get back to his end. He’s a big boy and can hit sixes so it was his job to get back on strike. I’ve never heard that rule before but every day is a school day so you learn something” he told Fox Sports.

Perth Scorchers are currently leading the points table with 17 points. They are the only unbeaten team in this BBL season so far. The Hurricanes and the Stars are placed third and seventh respectively.

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