Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Anrich Nortje became the first player to fail the bat check from umpires that has become the norm in the last few matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League. The incident happened just before the final ball of KKR's loss to Punjab Kings in a low-scoring thriller on Tuesday, April 15. (Match Blog | Full Coverage | Points Table | Cricket News)
In the past few games, umpires have forced new batters to get their bat checked on field by letting it pass through a gauge. If the bat passes, its size is deemed to be legal. Nortje's bat did not seem to pass through the gauge and the South African had to change it immediately.
The pacer could not face a ball as Andre Russell was bowled on the very next ball after the incident and Punjab Kings stole a memorable 16-run victory. The Kings defended 111, which is now a record for the lowest succesful total defended in IPL history.
However, the incident of Nortje's bat change did create a flutter on the Internet. According to the rules, the width of the bat face should not exceed 10.79 cm, the thickness of the blade shouldn't be more than 6.7 cms, and the width of the edge of the bat cannot be more than 4cm. The length of the bat should not exceed 96.4 cm. Earlier, the bat checks used to happen before games but now they are taking place on field.
Delhi Capitals pacer Mohit Sharma had backed the bat checks after DC's loss to Chennai Super Kings on Monday. He had also called for ban on oversized bats.
"That's really good, please check those bats. As it is we have been seeing such big sixes. If a bat or two are caught oversized then ban them also," Sharma had said.
