The umpire calls six after Chris Lynn hits a roof-hitting six in a BBL match, which raises concerns. This is why

Chris Lynn’s incredible performance on December 29 at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne during the Adelaide Strikers vs. Melbourne Renegades match stole the show. Throughout the game, Lynn struck four sixes, and one of his strokes hit the stadium roof, causing quite a stir, but the on-field umpires called it a six.

In the Big Bash League (BBL), a cricket ball is usually deemed dead when it hits the ceiling and falls within the boundary. On-field umpires now have the freedom to choose whether to call a dead ball or award a six, according to a recent rule change. For Lynn, the ball would have reached the highest levels if it hadn’t collided with the ceiling. Lynn’s viewpoint was echoed by umpires Bruce Oxenford and Gerard Abood, who indicated a six.

Lynn carried on his rampage, hitting four more sixes and as many fours in his fast-paced 56 off 34 balls. After a brilliant 82-run partnership for the second wicket with opener D’Arcy Short, who scored 54 runs off 47 balls, he ultimately fell prey to Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The Strikers won the toss and elected to bat, and thanks to cameos from Jamie Overton and Harry Nielsen, they managed to score a respectable total of 177/6 despite a little collapse. Quinton de Kock faced a golden duck in the Renegades’ run chase, while Joe Clarke had to withdraw injured from hamstring discomfort.

Jake Fraser-McGurk, on the other hand, dominated the powerplay overs, hitting two sixes and completing his half-century in only 22 balls. Shaun Marsh contributed to the scoring frenzy by smashing a four and two sixes. Despite dropping a catch in the eleventh over, Fraser-McGurk was removed by James Bazley a few overs later, having reached 70 off 37 balls.
Marsh continued on the attack, hitting his fifty-seven in only 29 balls before being dismissed for 34 runs off 33 balls, which included three fours and four sixes. With four wickets remaining in the last over and eight balls remaining, the Strikers claimed victory.