Watch: Haris Rauf walks out to bat without his pads during Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder BBL clash | Cricket News
In a hilarious incident, Melbourne Stars fast bowler Haris Rauf opted not to wear pads when he went into bat during a Big Bash League against Sydney Thunder in Albury.
The incident occurred during the final over of the first innings when Stars batter, Mark Steketee, was run out at the non-striker end of the penultimate ball.
With one ball remaining, unless the Thunder bowler would deliver a wide or no-ball, Rauf assumed he wouldn’t face a ball and initially walked out even without a helmet and gloves; however, he later changed his mind and took those; however, he remained without his pads for the final ball.
Sams picked Liam Dawson off the final ball, ensuring Rauf did not face a delivery.
No gloves, pads or helmet on 🤣
Haris Rauf was caught surprise at the end of the Stars innings!@KFCAustralia #BucketMoment #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/ZR9DeP8YhW
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 23, 2023
Sams’ four wickets meant that Stars scrapped through to 172 of their quota of overs, which Thunder chased down in 18.2 overs with five wickets in hand. Rauf bowled three overs and remained wicketless.
Rauf has opted out of the ongoing three-match Test series against Australia, citing workload management. Pakan chief selector Wahab Riaz criticized the pacemen during squad selection. However, Riaz changed his mind earlier this month and looked to defend the ace-pacer.
Riaz stated that the PCB has orchestrated this NOC to ensure Rauf remains in optimal form in the lead-up to the T20 series in New Zealand. “From now until the New Zealand series, there is a gap of 1.5 months during which Haris Rauf isn’t playing any cricket. His contract with Cricket Australia for the Big Bash comprises only five games,” he told reporters.
“Considering the thought that there won’t be any cricket for 1.5 months and he’s a fast bowler, to ensure he maintains his rhythm, we have given him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from December 7th to 28th,” he added. “This will cover his 5 Big Bash matches so that he can travel with the Pakan team for the New Zealand tour. This is the science behind giving him the NOC.”
