Controversy erupted when a BBL match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades was halted and later abandoned due to “pitch danger”. Game 4 of the 13th edition of Big Bash League Australia was played at Simmonds Stadium in Geelong. After heavy rain in Geelong, water seeped under the covers, creating wet spots on the pitch.
What exactly happened?
Before the match, it looked like a normal wicket. However, once the match started, the pitch bounced unevenly, and recurred before it reached the wicket-keeper. It was the seventh over of the Scorcher innings and they were batting at 30/2 when Will Sutherland was bowling off Josh Inglis. Sutherland threw three good length passes to Inglis, who was beaten twice and one inside to the keeper but did not carry it. However, the pitch was uncharacteristic, and the ball was either too high or too low.
Inglis pointed to his partner Aaron Hardy, showing some displeasure with the state of the pitch. Renegades’ wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock also showed some dissatisfaction with the pitch, as well-paced balls took a significant deflection after coming off the pitch.
The conversation took place between the referees and the players were asked to leave the field. They then had a conversation with the match officials and Cricket Australia officials, saying the pitch was “dangerous”, and the match was called off, with the safety of the players in mind.
a result
This is the first time in the history of BBL that a match has been canceled due to poor pitch. Both teams were asked to share one point each.