Big Bash League (BBL): Sydney Thunder-Adelaide Strikers match abandoned due to poor air quality
'The KFC Big Bash League advises that tonight's match between the Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers at Manuka Oval has been abandoned due to dangerous and unreasonable playing conditions'
FollowCanberra: A cricket match in Australia was abandoned on Saturday (December 21) due to poor air quality. Both teams received one point each after match officials called off the contest due to “dangerous and unreasonable” playing conditions.
The match in question was between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) Twenty20 tournament at Canberra’s Manuka Oval. Thunder were 42/1 in 4.2 overs while chasing 162 when the match was abandoned due to smoke and poor air quality as a result of bushfires in New South Wales South Coast.
In any T20 match, result, according to Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is possible only if five overs are completed. The match was stopped four deliveries before the fifth over could be bowled.
Umpire Paul Wilson said, “I understand that the Thunder have four balls to go. We can't take that into consideration. It's about air quality. We would not have started (the match) like this.”
Cricket Australia (CA) tweeted, “Tonight's @BBL match between @ThunderBBL and @StrikersBBL has been abandoned due to dangerous and unreasonable playing conditions, caused by smoke. Both teams will receive one point each. Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the ongoing bushfire emergency.”
Here is the full statement from Cricket Australia (CA)
“The KFC Big Bash League advises that tonight's match between the Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers at Manuka Oval has been abandoned due to dangerous and unreasonable playing conditions.
The decision was taken by match officials after conducting a thorough assessment of conditions at the ground, with participant safety the number one priority.
Play was suspended 4.2 overs into the Thunder's run chase due to poor visibility created by smoke. After a delay, officials deemed conditions were unsuitable for play to resume and the match was officially abandoned at 9:14pm AEDT.
Under the Big Bash League Playing Conditions, the match has been declared as a No Result and both teams awarded one point each on the BBL|09 Ladder.
The League and all Clubs wish to reiterate that our thoughts and best wishes are with the people and communities affected by the current bushfire emergency.”
