Image source, Getty Images
Melbourne Renegades players scan the field against Perth Scorchers
The men’s Big Bash League match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers has been called off after just 41 deliveries due to an unsafe pitch.
The Scorchers were 30-2 in Geelong when umpires stopped play to inspect the field.
The players left the field and the match was later stopped amid booing from the fans.
Renegades player Aaron Finch said there were concerns about bouncing off a wet patch on the field.
Heavy rain has fallen in the Geelong area over the past 24 hours making preparations difficult for ground staff at the stadium.
“It’s just a ridiculous throwback,” said Finch, who was wearing a television commentary microphone.
“If that was bouncing off someone’s body or head, that could cause some real problems.”
The Perth Scorchers are defending champions at the event.
Josh Inglis came in to bat for the Scorchers with the score at 18-2 and the right-hander injured the top of his back leg off the second ball he faced when Will Sutherland’s delivery rushed back into him.
The next ball from a similar line went past Inglis’ outside edge in what was the latest in a number of plays and misses.
The inside edge of the batsman was dropped by wicket-keeper Ouniton de Kock, while the next and final delivery bounced awkwardly much to the annoyance of Inglis before the fielders were out.
“The pitch at GMHBA Stadium was affected by rain in the days leading up to the match,” a Cricket Australia statement said.
“The ground crew worked all day to rectify the situation and the officials deemed the pitch safe for play to begin.
“However, in the seventh inning, the referees abandoned the game, deeming there to be a foreseeable risk to the safety of the players.
“Each team will receive one point unless the match is rescheduled. Fans will be refunded the cost of their tickets.”
CA added that it would “conduct a comprehensive review of the extremely disappointing circumstances that led to the cancellation of the game and great disappointment for fans and players.”
The Melbourne Renegades said they were informed the pitch “suffered some water damage during heavy rain on Saturday” and work was being done “throughout the day to improve the condition of the wicket”.
“We are extremely disappointed by tonight’s events,” General Manager James Rosengarten said.
“It should have been a fantastic night of cricket and we will discuss the results of that in the coming days.”