Big Bash League match abandoned due to unsafe pitch

The Big Bash League (BBL) match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers had to be abandoned due to a sub-par pitch, a first for the Australian T20 league. During the Scorchers’ innings, Will Sutherland of the Renegades bowled three balls in the same area, each producing varying degrees of movement that troubled batter Josh Inglis. Frustrated, Inglis audibly expressed his discontent with the situation, stating, “this is a joke,” as reported by Fox Cricket. In response to the unsafe playing conditions, the umpires convened and decided to halt play. After a 20-minute delay, they officially declared the pitch too dangerous to continue. The poor pitch conditions were attributed to the rain that had fallen at the venue the day before. It was reported that the rainwater had seeped through the covers overnight, causing uneven bounce.

Hear from Aaron Finch on the @FoxCricket mic as the umpires have a chat about the pitch in Geelong...#BBL13 pic.twitter.com/PsHbPQZZaL

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 10, 2023

Here's the delivery that prompted the discussions.

Quinton de Kock's reaction 🫢 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/1Tbq5YRjnq

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 10, 2023

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As the umpires made the decision, fans made their displeasure known with loud boos and with some spectators even hurling objects onto the field. “I didn’t hear anything that the umps were saying but obviously they’re concerned with how the balls are bouncing from that wet patch here. It’s on that good length. It’s six to seven metre length. A few balls are getting in there. They’re obviously a little bit concerned about that,” Renegades skipper Aaron Finch said. “It’s been tapped in but it’s just taking some big divots out of the surface there as well. You can see that one that Josh Inglis got just there, it’s gripped the seam and it’s bouncing ridiculously. If that’s on line with someone’s body or their head then that could be some real issues. You don’t want to wait for someone to get seriously injured then say ‘we did think it was unsafe’. I wouldn’t say it’s unsafe, but it’s slightly on the dangerous side. If you’re looking at player safety and you’re waiting for something to happen and someone to get hit, that’s the wrong attitude,” he added.