Cricket Australia banned Andre Russell's black and pink bat

22nd Dec. (CRICKETNMORE) - Cricket Australia (CA) has banned Sydney Thunder's Andre Russell black-painted bat after it was found to have discoloured the ball. The West Indies all-rounder made nine from seven balls in Thunder's nine-wicket derby defeat by Sydney Sixers.

CA had originally approved Russell's bat before Monday's match, which was the 2016-17 tournament opener.

Head of the Big Bash Anthony Everard said: "The match officials provided feedback to Cricket Australia that the bat used by Andre left black marks on the match ball.

"As a result, we have decided to withdraw our approval for Andre to use the bat.

"Should Andre, or any other Big Bash or Women's Big Bash player for that matter, wish to use a bat with a different colouring solution that doesn't result in the discolouration of the match ball, they will be permitted to do so.

"This is 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."

Saurabh Sharma