The Big Bash League game between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers has been abandoned within seven overs of play starting due to an unplayable pitch in Geelong.
A number of unpredictable deliveries in the first 6.5 overs prompted a close inspection of the wicket, with match officials opting to call the game off.
It is the first time a BBL game has been abandoned due to the condition of the pitch. The teams will share the points.
It had been raining for hours in the Geelong region leading up to the match and there were signs of moisture under the covers on the pitch when players and officials arrived.
Renegades captain Nic Maddinson chose to bowl after winning the toss because, as he put it: “The wicket’s absolutely drenched.”
The Renegades took 2-30 before three unpredictably bouncing deliveries from Will Sutherland in the seventh over eluded Scorchers batter Josh Inglis.
“This is a joke,” Inglis said on the pitch.
The deliveries and the players’ reactions led the umpires to inspect the pitch, and it was clear something was off.
“[The ball’s] taking some big divots out of the surface,” Renegades batter Aaron Finch said while mic’d up by Fox Sports, also describing some deliveries as “ugly”.
“It’s just bouncing ridiculously. If that’s on line with someone’s body or their head then that could [cause] some real issues.”
Sutherland admitted, while it was making life easy for bowlers, it did not look safe for batters.
After a brief suspension of play, match officials decided to call the game off.
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