Can a player find her name on the team sheet despite not being part of the primary squad? The correct answer is “No”. However, in an unusual turn of events, this happened when fast bowler Hayley Silver-Holmes was named on the team sheet to play against Melbourne Renegades despite not being part of the current edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
WBBL franchise Sydney Sixers, who are placed at the sixth position in the table with 12 points from 12 games, committed this administrative error and have been fined a hefty sum of AUD25,000, of which AUD15,000 was suspended for a period of 12 months. The maximum penalty of $50,000 and/or further sanctions were “not deemed appropriate given the nature of the breach and the fact Sixers lost the match and suffered an adverse net run rate”.
Though the Ellyse Perry-led Sydney Sixers hoped to have the fast bowler in the side to play against the Melbourne Renegades after an injury, her paperwork was not lodged before the start of the match. This meant that she was ineligible for selection. After realizing the mistake, the Sixers’ officials, removed her from the match and she did not bat or take the field during the match.
Alan Sullivan QC, Cricket Australia’s Senior Conduct Commissioner, regarded this error as “serious” but also appreciated the fact the Sixers had self-reported and moved swiftly to remove the fast bowler from the match after realizing the fallacy.
Sean Carroll, CA’s Head of Integrity and Security, elucidated: “This breach by the Sydney Sixers, while serious in nature, had a reduced impact due to the club’s actions during last night’s game. As such, we support the findings of Alan Sullivan QC, including the suspension of $15,000 of the $25,000 fine imposed.”
Alistair Dobson, CA’s head of Big Bash Leagues, averred, “We commend the Sydney Sixers for their swift action and cooperation in addressing this error. In particular, we echo Alan Sullivan QC’s praise for the Sixers’ self-reporting and actions are undertaken to minimize the impact of the breach on last night’s match.”
Jodie Hawkins, Sydney Sixers’ General Manager, stated: “We made a regrettable administrative error for which there are understandably stringent rules.”
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
