Big Bash coach cops bizarre fine for undermining 'spirit of cricket'

Melbourne Stars coach David Hussey has been fined $2000 by Cricket Australia for a code of conduct breach considered to have been contrary to the spirit of cricket.

Hussey joked in a television interview during the ninth over of Wednesday night's Big Bash League clash against the Strikers in Adelaide that he had worn spiked footwear on the pitch before the match.

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The ladder-leading Stars eventually lost by 11 runs.

Cricket's laws state that "prior to the start of play, only the captain and team coach may walk on the pitch to assess its condition. Spiked footwear is not permitted at this time".

However, while Hussey had not worn spiked shoes and was found not guilty by independent code-of-conduct commissioner Adrian Anderson of attempting to gain an unfair advantage, he accepted his comments had not been in the spirit of the sport.

Hussey apologised via a statement released by Cricket Australia on Friday.

"These comments were made in jest and in a light-hearted moment with the commentators," he said.

"I never intended to suggest that I had in any way broken the rules of the game. I realise that my comments, broadcast to our fans and supporters, may have undermined the spirit of cricket and for this I apologise."

Career best for Short keeps Hobart’s finals hopes alive

D'Arcy Short has starred with the ball on his BBL return as Hobart Hurricanes kept their finals hopes alive with a convincing 57-run win over Sydney Thunder on Friday night.

Having missed several weeks while on tour with the Australian ODI side in India, Short took a career-best 5-21 at Bellerive Oval as the Hurricanes successfully defended 6-185.

Powerful Thunder opener Alex Hales (63 from 42 balls) had the visitors on track at the halfway point of the chase until Short's spin struck two crucial blows in the 13th over.

Short had Hales caught off a leading edge and then trapped Chris Morris (one) lbw a few balls later to turn the match in the hosts' favour.

The Thunder, fifth coming into the match and chasing an important win with two regular season games before the finals, lost 8-28 to be bowled out for 128.

Hobart's win has seen them jumped the Thunder into fifth spot in the ladder, with other matches to be played across the weekend.

Earlier, it wasn't as pretty with the bat for Short who was bowled for a second ball duck by Arjun Nair in the first over.

Youngster Mac Wright top scored with 64 from 45, his second half-century in as many innings.

The 22-year-old shared a 97-run stand with skipper Matthew Wade (56 from 34) to form the backbone of the innings after Hobart were sent in.

In his final match on home soil before retirement, veteran George Bailey chipped in with a valuable 10-ball 29 late in the innings.

Daniel Sams (4-32 from four overs) was the pick of the Sydney bowlers and picked up three of those scalps at the death, including Wright.