Picture Credit: X
The Big Bash League 2023-24 match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers at the Simonds Stadium in Geelong saw the match see a brief halt before it was officially called off due to “dangerous” pitch condition. After winning the toss, the Nic Maddinson-led Melbourne Renegades won the toss and invited the Scorchers to bat first.
While they successfully took down two of the Perth batters in Stephen Eskinazi and Cooper Connolly, but Aaron Hardie and Aussie wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis found it difficult to continue in the middle due to damp area on the pitch. After notifying the on-field umpires about their concerns, the officials took a call on the match.
In the meantime, Aaron Finch, former skipper of the Renegades, took to the dampened pitch, warning his teammates to mind their language as he had the mic. “I’m just mic up boys, mind your language”, he was heard saying. “It’s just bouncing on line with someone’s body or their head, that could cause some real issues,” he said.
Watch the video here:
After a brief discussion between the captains and the coaches along with the umpires, the match was called off with just 6.5 overs (41 deliveries) being bowled. However, the Cricket Australia took to X to confirm the suspension of the match adding, “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.”
Melbourne Renegades will next play Brisbane Heat at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on December 21, Perth Scorchers will take on Melbourne Stars at the MCG on December 13.
