Cricket Australia has announced a comprehensive investigation into the abandoned Big Bash League (BBL) fixture held in Geelong between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. Safety concerns about the pitch prompted the clash’s cancellation after 6.5 overs were bowled.
Despite efforts by ground staff to rectify a wet patch caused by heavy weekend rain under the protective covers, the match received clearance to proceed. However, in the seventh over, umpires halted play with Perth at 30 for two, following a challenging three-ball sequence faced by Josh Inglis from Will Sutherland.
Inglis endured a blow to the groin, followed by an inside edge, and then a delivery that behaved unexpectedly, leaving wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock perplexed.
The audience expressed their dissatisfaction when the play was abandoned, marking the first instance of such an event in BBL’s history.
Cricket Australia expressed disappointment, stating, “CA will conduct a thorough review into the extremely frustrating circumstances that have resulted in the game being abandoned and a huge disappointment for fans and players.”
Should the match remain unreschedulable, the teams will divide the points, according to CA.
Scorchers’ head coach, Adam Voges, had apprehensions about the pitch even before the start of the game, acknowledging concerns for the batters’ safety.
“They (the batters) still copped a few in the stomach but yeah, just thankful that no one’s been seriously injured out of this,” Voges stated.
Expressing his disappointment over sharing points due to circumstances beyond their control, Voges added, “We came to win a game tonight, and to split the points through no wrongdoing of our own is frustrating.”
Local media heavily criticized the venue officials over the pitch’s condition, speculating that this incident might affect the city’s chances of hosting future sporting events.
“In the best scenario, the abandoned match is unprofessional,” wrote Dan Batten in the Geelong Advertiser. “At worst, it is a black mark against Geelong on the national sporting stage.”
