Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers Pitch. (Photo Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Melbourne Renegades issued a statement after their clash against Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL) at the GMHBA Stadium, in Geelong, was abandoned. Renegades’ captain Nic Maddinson won the toss and invited Scorchers to bat first. Meanwhile, the players were asked to discontinue the game by the match officials on the fifth ball in the seventh over citing that the surface was ‘unsafe’ to play.
As per the statement, Renegades found that the Geelong pitch sustained some water damage due to the rain on the previous day. Kardinia Park Stadium Trust worked to make the surface suitable to play but the match officials did not find it risk-free.
“On Sunday morning, the club was made aware that the GMHBA Stadium pitch sustained some water damage during Saturday’s heavy rain. Kardinia Park Stadium Trust undertook work throughout the day to improve the condition of the wicket and match officials deemed the surface safe to commence play,” the statement read.
The club will ensure all general public ticket purchasers are refunded: James Rosengarten
The Melbourne Renegades General Manager, James Rosengarten expressed his concern towards the fans and confirmed that all general public ticket purchasers will be refunded. Furthermore, he also informed that discussions regarding the outcome of the abandoned BBL fixture will be taken up in the days ahead to avoid such instances in the future.
“Our first thoughts are with our fans – the loyal supporters we have across Geelong and Victoria. We are incredibly disappointed in tonight’s events. We had an important match against the Scorchers and our fans have a right to feel incredibly let down. It should have been a great night of cricket and we will discuss the outcomes of that in the days ahead. The club will ensure that all general public ticket purchasers are refunded,” said Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten.
“We regret the unfortunate events that occurred tonight at GHMBA Stadium. We understand the disappointment this has created. This is not the experience that Kardinia Park Stadium Trust anticipated for the teams or the patrons that came to watch this game tonight,” Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Gerard Griffin said.