The BBL game between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers was called off due to safety concerns over a water-damaged pitch. Ground staff in Geelong worked hard to dry the pitch after heavy rain seeped under the covers overnight. Renegades’ captain Nic Maddinson said the pitch was still “absolutely drenched” and sent the Scorchers to bat after winning the toss. Scorchers were at 30 for 2 after 6.5 overs when umpires halted play to inspect the pitch, resulting in the game being abandoned. Concerns over inconsistent bounce raised alarms, especially from the Scorchers’ Josh Inglis. The decision to abandon the game came after the last delivery displayed unexpected behavior. Ashton Turner, Scorchers’ skipper, mentioned that there were doubts about the pitch, but both teams tried to make the game happen. He suggested flexibility in playing conditions to allow a game to continue in such situations. Renegades veteran Aaron Finch mentioned that deliveries caused significant damage to the surface, and Josh Inglis felt unsafe while batting. Therefore, it was a wise decision to call off the game to avoid potential injuries.
