Umpiring howler in Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers clash sparks calls for DRS in Big Bash League

"[You thought] the bat hit the ground? It was that far off the ground," the stunned Perth Scorchers quick told umpire Simon Lightbody midway through a Big Bash League clash on Tuesday night.

Sydney Thunder captain Callum Ferguson (61 not out), debutant Ollie Davies (36) and Ben Cutting (29 not out) ultimately proved the difference in a seven-wicket win at Manuka Oval, but it was teammate Usman Khawaja at the centre of a new decision review system debate.

Lightbody had earlier stood firm as Perth players erupted in celebration thinking they had given Khawaja his marching orders, the umpire adamant the bat had hit the ground and not the ball.

The decision would only cost Perth three more runs with Khawaja dismissed for 21 soon after, but it again raises questions about the lack of a DRS in the BBL.

MORE SPORT

The estimated bill for the DRS technology is in the ballpark of $1.5 million for a nine-week tournament, and there was little room for it in a summer that has seen Cricket Australia's finances drained by the COVID-19 pandemic.

One train of thought is to have a DRS based solely on video replays to reduce costs.

Instead the introduction of power surges, bash boosts and X-factor players were designed to ignite the league. Yet when it comes down to a choice between radical rule changes and the DRS, there is little question as to which fans would prefer.

It marks the second time Khawaja has been caught up in an umpiring howler this season - only this time he was on the other end of it.

"As a player you like to see stuff introduced. I'd be all for it," Scorchers star Mitch Marsh said.

"It's probably a little bit hard for me to comment on that, when you're relying on TV replays to give a decision. It's probably a case of all in or not.

"If you had it just on TV replays, you would get rid of the absolute howlers, but in the same sentence if there was a close call you would be relying on the TV screen at the ground. That's where it would get a bit hairy.

"My view is that if it becomes available to us ... players would welcome it with open arms. We respect umpires make mistakes, they're human and it's a part of the game. Hopefully there's not too much heat on them.

Sydney's start with the ball was something coach Shane Bond wanted his bowling attack to address after indifferent openings in their first two games.

It seemed as though they had coughed up a golden opportunity to get the start they had been searching for when Callum Ferguson dropped Colin Munro on one.

But Nathan McAndrew reversed the home side's fortunes in the blink of an eye when he picked up Josh Inglis (four), before Alex Hales' direct hit saw Joe Clarke on his way for nought.

Munro (25) followed soon after when Usman Khawaja parried a catch into the waiting hands of Kiwi international Adam Milne, leaving Perth in need of somebody to salvage the innings.

Marsh (52 not out) and Cameron Bancroft (34 not out) would be the men to do it, orchestrating a 61-run stand for the sixth wicket to steer the Scorchers to 5-152.

The Thunder were soon struggling for answers against Perth's all-Australian opening duo with Jason Behrendorff - who skittled Alex Hales for a golden duck - and Jhye Richardson strangling the top order.

Callum Ferguson had two runs to his name when he was dropped by Scorchers wicketkeeper Inglis in an admittedly tough chance. Then came the Khawaja uproar.

But Perth's toughest pill to swallow was still to follow, as debutant Davies and Cutting teed off alongside a classy Ferguson innings to get the hosts over the line with three balls to spare.

"It was awesome. It was a little bit unexpected I guess," Davies said, whose family and friends on the northern beaches of Sydney were kept from coming to the game.

"I thought there might have been a couple of people ahead of me but it was nice to debut tonight. It was quite funny actually, I was chatting to my teammates on the sideline. I get really nervous if I don't speak to people.

"I started getting really nervous, I was tapping the boys next to me like 'please keep speaking to me'. Once I got out there, surprisingly ... after I got that first run I freed up."

The scene is now set for the Melbourne Renegades to come to town for a Boxing Day clash with the Thunder at Manuka Oval.

AT A GLANCE

Big Bash League: SYDNEY THUNDER 3-156 (Callum Ferguson 61*, Ollie Davies 36; Jason Behrendorff 1-32, Aaron Hardie 1-33) bt PERTH SCORCHERS 5-152 (Mitchell Marsh 52*, Cameron Bancroft 34*; Ben Cutting 1-16, Nathan McAndrew 1-29) at Manuka Oval.