The clash was called off after only 6.5 overs were bowled due to safety concerns about the pitch.
The Kardinia Park wicket, affected by heavy rain over the weekend, raised safety issues as a wet patch emerged despite the efforts of ground staff to address the situation.Despite the challenges, officials initially gave the green light for the match to proceed.However, play was suspended in the seventh over with the Perth Scorchers at 30 for two after a series of unsettling deliveries faced by batsman Josh Inglis from Renegades’ paceman Will Sutherland.
Inglis endured a torrid three-ball sequence, including being struck in the groin, playing an inside edge, and missing a delivery that baffled wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
The decision to abandon the match, a first in the BBL’s 12-year history due to an unsafe pitch, prompted dissatisfaction from the crowd of 6,601.
Cricket Australia, in a statement, expressed their intent to conduct a thorough review into the circumstances surrounding the abandonment, acknowledging the disappointment for fans and players.
“If the match cannot be rescheduled, the teams will share the points,” CA added, underlining the potential impact on the BBL standings.
Perth Scorchers’ head coach, Adam Voges, voiced pre-existing concerns about the wicket, stating, “It’s disappointing for all the people who have come out to watch tonight, but ultimately, I think they made the right call.”
Local media criticised venue officials for the pitch’s condition, with concerns raised about the potential consequences for Geelong’s reputation as a hosting city for future events.
“At best, the abandoned match is unprofessional,” wrote Dan Batten in the Geelong Advertiser. “At worst, it is a black mark against Geelong on the national sporting stage.”
The incident has sparked discussions about the need for heightened pitch maintenance and scrutiny to avoid such situations in the future.
(With inputs from Reuters)
