BBL match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers abandoned due to unsafe pitch | Cricket News
The Big Bash League match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers had to be called off due to the pitch not being up to scratch. This was the first time in the hory of the league that a match had to be abandoned due to unsafe pitch conditions.
In the Scorchers’ innings, three balls bowled the Renegades Will Sutherland at the same area of the pitch generated different degrees of movement which beat batter Josh Inglis every time.
The batter was exasperated and could be heard mouthing “this is a joke” as per Fox Cricket. Play was then stopped the umpires and after a 20 minutes delay, they announced that it was too dangerous to continue.
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
It had rained at the venue yesterday and the rain waters had leaked through the covers on the eve of the match which led to the uneven bounce on the pitch during the match.
As the umpires called an audible, loud boos rang around the crowd with some even throwing objects into 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.
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
“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.