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#BazRules launched after McCullum ban

From the commentary box to the Twittersphere, McCullum's suspension has the fans and pundits talking

In the wake of Brendon McCullum’s KFC Big Bash League suspension, alternatives to missing a match for maintaining a slow over-rate have come thick and fast.

Brisbane captain McCullum will miss the Heat’s next match – against the Melbourne Stars next Tuesday – after his side took too long to compete their overs for a second time this season.

Full story: McCullum suspended for slow over-rate

The decision to ban the dashing Heat skipper has provided plenty of debate, and during the Renegades-Hurricanes clash at Etihad Stadium, Network Ten Sport commentators Mark Waugh and Damien Fleming weighed in with their own view on the issue.

“There are rules there for a reason,” Waugh said.

“I don’t think there’s an easy answer to it to be honest.

“I think it’s a wake-up call for Brendon McCullum’s captaincy.

“He does change the field a lot, he does talk to the bowler a lot.

 

Umpires' Verdict: Renegades v Hurricanes

“Maybe he needs his fast bowlers to have a short run-up as well as a normal run-up so there’s ways to save time.

“Personally I want to see Brendon McCullum playing, I don’t want to see him on the sidelines.

“It’s not an ideal scenario. I think a fine or maybe losing points.”

Fleming agreed with his former Test teammate: “I think it’s got to be points.”

“As a fan you’re disappointed McCullum’s not playing and we see in some leagues they lose .5 points but I reckon you lose two points, you actually lose a game.

“Surely that’s a big incentive to get the overs in.”

While the commentators belive a loss of points or a team’s Net Run Rate is a sufficient slow over-rate penalty, some of Australia’s current cricketers have come up with some of their own creative ideas under the hashtag #bazrules.