Andre Russell's conspicuous black and pink bat has been banned by Cricket Australia, after match officials reported it had left marks on the match ball in Tuesday night's Big Bash League season opener between Sydney's Thunder and Sixers.
CA had initially approved the use of the bat before backflipping on Wednesday as the Thunder flew to Melbourne for their clash with the Renegades on Thursday night.
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Sixers pair Brad Haddin and Moises Henriques both said on Tuesday that Russell's bat had left several marks on the ball that were adjudged to have affected the integrity of the match.
"The match officials provided feedback to Cricket Australia that the bat used by Andre left black marks on the match ball," BBL head Anthony Everard said.
"As a result, we have decided to withdraw our approval for Andre to use the bat that was used last night as the colour solution used by the manufacturer was discolouring the ball.
"Should Andre, or any other BBL or WBBL player for that matter, wish to use a bat with a different colouring solution to the one used last night that doesn't result in the discolouration of the match ball, they will be permitted to do so subject to Cricket Australia being satisfied that the bat won't compromise the integrity of the game, which we believe discolouring the match ball does."
CA regulations allow players to use bats that are either black, or resemble a team's primary colour, but also reserve the right to withdraw approval at its discretion.
Meanwhile, Michael Hussey's first protege in his new role as Sydney Thunder director of cricket hopes to build on his impressive debut half-century against the Sixers when he opens against the Renegades on Thursday.
![Integrity concern: Andre Russell of the Thunder wields the colourful bat against the Sixers at Spotless Stadium.](/web/20161223144739im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/g/1/j/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtfs3a.png/1482316304024.jpg)
The individual plaudits were showered on Ryan Gibson after the knock, but he was left feeling slightly hollow after the match, given the western Sydney boy's first BBL game also meant a nine-wicket touch-up by the cross-town Sixers.
Gibson spent last season around the Thunder squad without playing a BBL game, and one of Hussey's first business decisions after moving into his non-playing role was to sign the 22-year-old to a full contract.
![Hussey protege: Ryan Gibson blazes through the off side in the Sydney derby at Spotless Stadium on Tuesday.](/web/20161223144739im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/f/w/k/u/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtfs3a.png/1482316304024.jpg)
"I have a good relationship with Huss. I send him a couple of messages to see what tips he can give me and before this game I had a good little chat to him about nerves and trying to get over them," Gibson said.
"He's helped me out a lot during these last two years that I've been with the Thunder."
The Thunder opener was his side's best performer in Tuesday's big loss.
He managed 53 runs from 43 balls and stayed calm as his teammates collapsed around him, showing a level of composure that Hussey oozed throughout his international career.
It follows a solid domestic summer already where Gibson played for the Cricket Australia XI and crafted a century on his Matador Cup debut.
"When I started this season I wasn't really expecting to get any of these opportunities; I felt like I was still sitting back a little bit in the group," Gibson said.
"I've got that opportunity and I've tried to take it with both hands and it's coming along nicely so far, so hopefully I can continue scoring runs."
Thursday, December 22 – Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder at Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm
Friday, December 23 – Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes at Sydney Cricket Ground, 6.10pm
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