Cricket Australia has announced a comprehensive investigation into the abandoned Big Bash League (BBL) fixture held in Geelong between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. Safety concerns about the pitch prompted the clash’s cancellation after 6.5 overs were bowled.

Despite efforts by ground staff to rectify a wet patch caused by heavy weekend rain under the protective covers, the match received clearance to proceed. However, in the seventh over, umpires halted play with Perth at 30 for two, following a challenging three-ball sequence faced by Josh Inglis from Will Sutherland.

Inglis endured a blow to the groin, followed by an inside edge, and then a delivery that behaved unexpectedly, leaving wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock perplexed.

The audience expressed their dissatisfaction when the play was abandoned, marking the first instance of such an event in BBL’s history.

Cricket Australia expressed disappointment, stating, “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.”

Should the match remain unreschedulable, the teams will divide the points, according to CA.

Scorchers’ head coach, Adam Voges, had apprehensions about the pitch even before the start of the game, acknowledging concerns for the batters’ safety.

“They (the batters) still copped a few in the stomach but yeah, just thankful that no one’s been seriously injured out of this,” Voges stated.

Expressing his disappointment over sharing points due to circumstances beyond their control, Voges added, “We came to win a game tonight, and to split the points through no wrongdoing of our own is frustrating.”

Local media heavily criticized the venue officials over the pitch’s condition, speculating that this incident might affect the city’s chances of hosting future sporting events.

“In the best scenario, 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.”

He bettered the mark set by opener du Plessis (68 off 33) earlier in the innings, with the pair helping the Scorchers reach 229 for 7.
It was the third-highest score in competition history – setting a new franchise record in the process – and the first total of 200-plus by any team this season. Du Plessis’ dazzling innings included six fours and five sixes before he was eventually out caught off Luke Wood, who claimed career-best figures of 5 for 50 amid the carnage.

Inglis picked up where the former South Africa skipper left off, smashing five fours and six sixes, while Nick Hobson (46 off 26) also made a strong contribution. He and Aaron Hardie (30 off 17) hit three sixes apiece. Scorchers’ batters combined to send 17 deliveries clear over the short Junction Oval boundaries, a tournament record. It left Stars needing to pull off the highest-ever BBL run chase, but they only managed 168 for 8.

Stars started positively, skipping to 32 for 0 from three overs before Scorchers quick Jason Behrendorff removed openers Joe Clarke and Tom Rogers in the fourth. Powerful allrounder Marcus Stoinis’ struggles continued as he managed just 4 from seven balls, following consecutive ducks in the opening two games.

Beau Webster and Nick Larkin tried to lift the Stars but the damage had already been done.

“Home for Christmas after the most horrible 11 days,” Mills posted on Instagram. “As we were at the airport about to leave for Australia our daughter suffered what ended up being a stroke. She lost complete use of the left side of her body and was told they couldn’t predict how much she would regain.”

“Despite all of the challenges she faced our little girl has amazed everyone with her recovery to the point where we were discharged with her hopping and skipping out of the hospital. “She has lots of rehab, medication, and scans ahead but we are so grateful to be where we are right now.

“Thank you to everyone that’s reached out to us. Keep your loved ones close.” Scorchers announced David Payne, a fellow-left arm quick who plays for Gloucestershire, had been signed as Mills’ replacement. They have had to overhaul their overseas signs after all three of the players they brought in from the draft became unavailable. Alongside Mills, Phil Salt was injured during the ODI series against Australia, and Laurie Evans’ contract was terminated after he failed a dope test.

Faf du Plessis, Adam Lyth, and Stephen Eskinazi and currently part of the squad.