GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 10: Renegades players look at the pitch during the BBL match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers at GMHBA Stadium, on December 10, 2023, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Inclement weather wreaked havoc, resulting in the cancellation of three significant cricket matches across different regions of Australia. The first casualty was a warm-up cricket encounter between Pakistan and Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI, called off due to uncontrollable winds. Subsequently, two Big Bash 13 games met the same fate over the past two days.
Day 4 of the warm-up match between Pakistan and the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra was the first victim, succumbing to heavy rains. Strong winds, reaching speeds of 55 kmph, blew away the pitch covers placed overnight on Day 3, drenching the pitch. Umpires were compelled to settle the match as a draw.
Australia’s men’s domestic T20 competition bore the brunt of the adverse weather next. Game 3 at the Adelaide Oval was abandoned without a single ball being bowled. Following suit, Game 4 in the Big Bash faced suspension due to rain, with umpires calling off play after 6.5 overs into the match.
Complaints emerged from players of both the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades franchises during the game. They cited uneven bounce off wet patches on the pitch in Geelong, prompting umpires to halt play and ultimately declare a shared point between the teams.
