Perth Scorchers field an ineligible player against the Strikers

Perth Scorchers have found themselves ensnared in an unprecedented mishap after they were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player. During their game against the Adelaide Strikers on January 14th, the Scorchers fielded Central Local Replacement Player Brayden Stepien and made him keep wickets for 14 overs, despite him not being a part of Scorcher’s 18-man squad.

With this infringement, the Scorchers were found guilty of breaching the BBL Player Contracting and Remuneration Rules. The Scorchers have been found guilty of a breach of the aforementioned rule at the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct Commission hearing on Tuesday, January 18th.

Stepien kept wickets for the Scorchers for a staggering 14 overs during the KFC Big Bash match of the Scorchers against the Strikers. At the hearing, Commissioner Alan Sullivan QC heard evidence from the representatives of both the parties and came to the conclusion that the Scorchers were guilty of fielding an ineligible player and was penalized a boost point for the breach.

The Strikers savoured a walk in the park as their bowlers restricted the Scorchers to 127 runs. Fawad Ahmed led the charge as he claimed three crucial scalps which were perfectly complemented by Peter Siddle and Henry Thornton. Laurie Evans managed to rack up a 31-ball-39 that propelled the Scorchers to 127.

Ian Cockbain and Matt Short made an easy work of the chase as the Strikers racked up the total within just 17 overs. Aaron Hardie managed to claim 3 wickets from his quota of 4 overs that leaked 31 runs. Despite the loss and the penalty, the Scorchers are still comfortably placed at the top of the points table with 40 points that came on the back of 11 wins.