Play had to be suspended during the fifth over of the Sydney Thunder’s chase against the Adelaide Strikers after smoke in Canberra raised concerns.
There were fears there would be no match at all in the build-up, yet initially, the conditions at Manuka Oval were better than expected, allowing the Strikers to get their season underway as they posted 5/161 after being sent in by the Thunder.
However with the Thunder on 1/40 in reply and in front under Duckworth-Lewis method, smoke forced players off the field with umpires citing fears surrounding air control and visibility.
Thunder captain Callum Ferguson, unbeaten on 27 from 14 deliveries, appeared miffed with the call which came just four balls shy of the five-over requirement to guarantee a result if play was unable to resume.
However, Umpire Paul Wilson told Fox Cricket the decision had to be made.
“We would not have started if it was like this,” Wilson said.
“I understand that the Thunder have got four balls to go but we can’t take that into consideration. It’s really about air quality and obviously the smoke coming in here.”
Though it was hoped that play could resume before the cutoff time, the smoke remained too prevalent, forcing the match to be abandoned.
The Strikers and Thunder will come away with a point each.
Wayne Kerr
Guest
Was it any worse than earlier SCG Shield game? That also looked pretty bad.
Tanmoy Kar
Roar Rookie
Pollution is a problem in big cities like Delhi and Kolkata particularly in the evening.
yippityio
Roar Rookie
Bl**dy climate change, it's one thing to to have melting ice caps, receding glaziers, droughts and fires but impacting the cricket! something has got to be done, now!!! and fast!
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I reckon Mumbai is a pretty smog-free locale Rowdy, for cricket certainly. Wankhede Stadium's location on the foreshore of the Arabian Sea and on the peninsular more generally, gives the city some pretty clear air. I've been to Mumbai 3 times in November/December and can't say I've ever really noticed smog. Though I haven't spent time there in April during the IPL window (have limited myself to Kerala and Tamil Nadu at that time of year - the heat and humidity from Maharashtra and north is unbearable in April/May, till you hit the Himalayan foothills of HP at least). Delhi however; well that's a whole different story. Fog in December is atrocious (I've been done twice by international flight arrivals/departures through Delhi in December - never again!) and certainly smog other times of the year! I dislike Delhi with a passion, which makes my 12 trips through the capital even more disturbing! (but how can you really avoid it?)
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Who's linking comments between hot/dry climate-induced bushfires and Scott "where the bloody hell are you" Morrison anyway? Morrison's delay in leaving Hawaii was down to nothing more than trying to find a local shop that carried a case that would safely accommodate his fiddle, for the plane trip home. Has nero to do with bushfires.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Come on fellas, Brumbies haven’t missed a training session yet! Harden up. I had a Christmas party here last night and didn’t miss a beat. Fair dinkum! Ok I woke up a bit dusty but not smokey. :laughing::laughing:
Timmuh
Roar Guru
So, will the Sydney Test see any play at all? Things don't appear likely to improve much, despite lower temperatues, and the air seems to be considerably worse than here in Canberra.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Hard not to be skeptical. Effectively deemed the conditions too smokey to shake hands in.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am glad to be giving this site a miss for awhile. It is good to miss most of the RWNJ butt hurt whinging.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Johnni Chen from Racenet It’s looks like you are the only one linking Hawaii and a cricket game in Canberra . What did you think of the decision?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Just adds to the stupidity
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Of course they have no issue pushing the Thunder to bowl out an over in bucketing rain to make sure they get the result in when the Thunder are going to lose in that scenario. But if the Thunder are ahead they will just call it with a few balls still required to make it a match. Must be a conspiracy against the Thunder. It’s the only thing that makes sense.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Exactly. Same situation as Australia v Bangladesh at the Champions Trophy a few years ago. If they had declared it a 5 over game and went on to bowl the last four balls they would literally just walk out and shake hands. The 5 over thing is stupid in this case. If it was reduced to a 5 over target before the start of the innings and they get the runs in 3 overs they don’t declare it a N/R because they didn’t bat 5 overs. If it’s called off before the 5 over mark and the chasing team is already ahead of the 5 over target it should be declared a win as the opposite is laughable.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
So what officially constitutes a restart of play if time only permits 5 overs and the thunder are ahead? The players just walk onto the field and shake hands? So bizarre!
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Well, tbf, I've been to Mumbai and on a clear day you can see the smog.
Mitcher
Guest
Anon’s cultural insensitivity is so edgy.
Johnnie Chen
Guest
Awaiting the first comment that seeks to blame this on Scott Morrison’s trip to Hawaii...
anon
Roar Pro
Looks like an IPL game