Aaron Finch receives apology from Cricket Australia after boundary mishap in South Africa T20
Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch received an apology from Cricket Australia (CA) on Thursday after narrowly escaping getting hurt by a flame thrower during the team’s 7-wicket loss to South Africa in the first of three T20 internationals at Adelaide on Wednesday.
After going to fetch the ball from just over the boundary rope at the Adelaide Oval, Finch was taken by huge surprise when he came within just a metre of a burst of firework displays.
He actually waited for a while to collect the ball, knowing that flames are shot on the occasion of every boundary. But when nothing happened initially, he assumed that it was safe to approach, only for the fireworks to appear as he went nearby.
“We have apologised to Aaron for the incident last night," Cricket Australia said on its website.
"We have clear operating procedures in place for the use of pyrotechnics at matches. They include strict rules about safe operating distances with respect to players and fans.
"Clearly there was a breach of that last night which we take very seriously and have addressed with the contractor concerned."
After the match, Finch hoped that more caution would be taken in regards to such gimmicks on the boundary line, pointing to a similar incident with David Hussey last year.
"It was a shock, I can tell you," Finch said of his narrow escape. "I'm sure it could be quite dangerous.
"I think it might have been last year or the year before when Dave Hussey almost got his head blown off.
"Probably a bit more care has to be taken towards the players and anyone who is nearby."