From the commentary box to the Twittersphere, McCullum's suspension has the fans and pundits talking
#BazRules launched after McCullum ban
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.
“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.
No.1: in the next game, brendan Mccullum must bat with an eye patch... #bbl06 #bazrules #patchesohoullihan
%E2%80%94 Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) January 12, 2017
No.43 Not allowed inside the 30 yard circle for whole bowling innings #bazrules #BBL06 https://t.co/RmdUMpSmXz
%E2%80%94 Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) January 12, 2017
Has to bowl his allotted 4 overs. #bazrules https://t.co/c8hKAiImih
%E2%80%94 Mitch Marsh (@mitchmarsh235) January 12, 2017
No. 76: not allowed to speak during the whole fielding innings.Must communicate by sign language at all times,including on the mic #bazrules
%E2%80%94 Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) January 12, 2017
No.22: (from S.Smith) has to play the entire game with his face painted in the opposition teams colours,while wearing an eyepatch #bazrules
%E2%80%94 Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) January 12, 2017