McCullum suspended for slow over rate

Brisbane Heat captain Brendon McCullum has been suspended for his side's crucial KFC Big Bash clash with the Melbourne Stars as a result of a slow over rate in their loss to the Perth Scorchers at the Gabba on Wednesday.

The Heat were found to be six minutes behind the scheduled time to complete their 20 overs, after allowances, which equated to being one over short.

As the offence is McCullum's second for a slow over rate in BBL|06, he will be suspended for the "next match he is available for selection in".

The Heat have accepted the penalty, with Joe Burns to step into the captaincy for next Tuesday's match at the MCG. 

"The Heat have shown that their style of attacking, exciting cricket really resonates with the fans and viewers all over the world and so it is disappointing for them that they will miss seeing one of the game's best in action in Melbourne next week," Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Max Walters said.

"It is a shame but we accept those are the competition rules we are playing under and reminds us that we can continue to improve in all facets of the game.

"We're confident the team will give a good account of itself against the Stars and continue to play bright, attacking T20 cricket.

"We're sure Brendon and the team will rebound from this setback and finish the competition strongly."

Walters said that following a careful examination of the timings from the match officials and a review of the match, the Heat did not believe there were grounds for an appeal and would accept the penalty.

Each Heat player was also fined $1000, with the fine reduced to $500 after the Heat accepted the penalty without appeal.

The Heat took 96 minutes to complete their innings with the ball in Wednesday night’s encounter with the Scorchers, exceeding the 90-minute allowance by six minutes.

Brisbane had already been penalised once this season for falling 5.5 minutes behind their over-rate, against the Hurricanes on December 30.

"I think we were a little bit late today with it but it's pretty difficult, you kind of get penalised for taking wickets," McCullum told Channel Ten Sport after play on Wednesday.

"Overall, you've got 35,000 people turning up to every game, ultimately the product is going outstanding and we finished 10 minutes early any way.

"Let's see what happens but hopefully I'll be right for next game.

"I think there were some inconsistencies in that (the first over-rate penalty) but let's wait and see. 

"If you do get suspended, you get suspended and that's how it is.

"I hope not because I think we're bringing a great brand of cricket to the table at the moment." 

The Heat have already lost one half of the ‘Bash Brothers’, Chris Lynn, to ODI duties, meaning the absence of McCullum will be particularly tough to swallow on the back of the defeat to the Scorchers.

"All we’re really doing is regularly giving the skipper an update as to what their over-rate looks like after five, 10, 15 and 18 overs,” umpire Simon Fry said of his role in the process on Optus Sport’s Umpires’ Verdict.

"So Brendon was well aware of the situation, but (the punishment) does lay in the hands of the match referee."

They face Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Tuesday, January 17.