Mccullum given one-match ban

Cricket Australia have suspended Brendon Mccullum for one match for his team’s slow over rate in the Big Bash League.

The move has dealt Brisbane’s title aspirations a massive blow with their Kiwi captain paying the price for the slow over rate in their 27-run loss to Perth on Wednesday night.

It was the Heat’s second slow over rate offence of the season.

The side has been given 14 days to decide if they will appeal the suspension.

But Mccullum is not the only player to have been penalised for the team’s slow bowling spell.

The Heat players have also been fined $1000 each, but that will be reduced to $500 should the team not appeal the penalty.

The Heat took 96 minutes to complete their bowling innings against the Scorchers, six minutes outside the 90-minute limit imposed by the tournament’s directors.

The Heat were previously fined when they exceeded their 90-minute limit against Hobart at the Gabba on December 30 by fiveand-a-half minutes.

Any second sanction against a team includes the compulsory onegame suspension of the captain.

The suspension left Australian TV commentators angered.

They believed removing Mccullum would only hurt the tournament.

‘‘It’s ridiculous. If you don’t mind me, Howie. We want Mccullum playing,’’ guest commentator and national coach Darren Lehmann said. ‘‘Speed it up, fine them all, if it’s that bad, but we want them playing cricket.’’

‘‘Exactly, take it out of his pay packet if it’s that bad,’’ was the reply of former international Mark Waugh.

The Scorchers have replaced the Heat at the top of the BBL standings following Wednesday’s victory and with only two games remaining for Brisbane before the finals, wins are vital.