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Perth 'flat' at no home BBL final: Voges

3 minute read

Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges says his player felt flat when told coronavirus restrictions would deny them a home BBL final.

ADAM VOGES of the Scorchers celebrates after their victory over the Sixers during the Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers at WACA in Perth, Australia.
ADAM VOGES of the Scorchers celebrates after their victory over the Sixers during the Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers at WACA in Perth, Australia. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges says his players are feeling flat at being denied a home BBL final because of coronavirus restrictions.

But Voges says his squad will rapidly rebound ahead of Thursday night's cut-throat contest against Brisbane Heat.

The winner advances to the final against the Sydney Sixers.

The Scorchers were due to host Thursday night's game in Perth but a sudden COVID-19 lockdown in Perth on Sunday prevented that, with the match to be played in Canberra.

"Initially they were disappointed that they weren't going to get home," Voges told reporters on Monday.

"I guess you have got it in the back of your mind that you have earnt the right to play a home final and that regardless of the result against the Sixers the other night we were going to get that opportunity.

"When that was taken away they were a bit flat.

"But to their credit, they're professional, they have been doing this for a long time now, so they will dust themselves off ... and we will be fresh and ready to go."

The Scorchers were due to depart Canberra on a 7.30pm flight on Sunday to Perth.

"We found out a few hours before that so it gave the opportunity for the boys to digest that," Voges said.

The Scorchers are seeking to bounce back from a nine-wicket loss to the Sixers last Saturday night which featured a flashpoint when Mitchell Marsh was adjudged caught behind in a decision replays showed was wrong,

Marsh's furious reaction led to a $5000 fine.

"It was the third time that he had copped an incorrect decision in this tournament," Voges said.

"It was a big moment in a big game. I can understand the frustration from Mitch.

"But having said that, he has accepted responsibility, he knows it's unacceptable to react that way to any umpire's decision."

The umpiring blunder further evidenced the need for a decision review system (DRS) in the BBL, he said.

""The whole incident is avoided with DRS - you don't get the emotional outburst, you just get to the review the decision," Voges said.

"The umpires do the best job that they possibly can, they are under pressure as well, it's a high pressure environment.

"We need to be able to give them as much assistance as possible to get the decisions right and that is why it's a no-brainer to bring the technology in."

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