Match Center

Right then, that's all we have from this game. It was a huge disappointment, especially for the fans who had turned up to see their favourite players in action. The action in the 2023/24 Big Bash League continues on Monday, the 11th of December, when the Hobart Hurricanes open their campaign as they host the Sydney Sixers at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston. The first ball will be bowled at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT), but you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

What a bummer! To get you up to speed with all that's happened, there had been a lot of rain in the past week in Geelong, and the water had seeped under the covers at Kardinia Park. When we initially started, it did not look as dangerous a surface as it eventually turned out to be, and the match officials had no option but to call the game off, keeping in mind the safety of everyone involved. Summarising the brief action we had, it was Melbourne Renegades who won the bat flip and opted to bowl first. Perth Scorchers were rocked early as they lost both openers inside the first five overs as batting was getting tougher with each delivery and the ball kept rising dangerously off the divots on the surface. As a result of the abandonment, both teams will share a point each from this fixture.

BAD NEWS FOLKS! THE MATCH HAS BEEN ABANDONED DUE TO UNSAFE PITCH! The two on-field umpires inform that the ball behaved dangerously off the pitch and sometimes they get to know these sorts of things once they play on it. They further stated that they needed to follow the protocols and this was in the best interest of everyone involved.

UPDATE - 2.28 pm IST (8.58 am GMT) - Play has been suspended for the time being as the match officials are discussing with Cricket Australia whether to take the game forward or not. The players from both sides are waiting at the boundary line, interacting with the fans and shelling the autographs. We will keep you posted with further updates.

Slight Halt! Aaron Hardie has a word with one of the umpires about the nature of the surface. The two umpires converge to discuss the damp area on the pitch due to which the ball has been bouncing awkwardly. The players go off as the match referee and the two on-field umpires get together to decide whether the match should go on keeping in mind the safety of players.

That has reared off the deck! Will Sutherland delivers it on a length, outside off, Josh Inglis is tempted by the width and looks to smack this one over through the off side. The ball shoots up off the surface and beats Inglis on the outside edge.

DROPPED! Quinton de Kock has put it down! It should have been taken! Will Sutherland bowls it on a good length, angling in, on middle, Josh Inglis stays on the back foot and tries to get behind the line to this one. Gets an inside edge which catches Quinton de Kock wrong-footed and even though, he does get his left glove in the correct position, the ball pops out.

Beaten! In the channel, shaping in, on a length, Josh Inglis does not use his feet whatsoever as he looks to launch it down the ground and gets beaten on the inside edge.

Offers width outside off, full as well, Aaron Hardie frees his arms and carves it to deep backward point for a run.

Tailing back in sharply, on a length, on middle, Josh Inglis gets into a bit of an awkward position as he look to drive it down the ground. Gets an inside edge that rolls to deep backward square leg for a single.

Pulls his length back and bowls it at the stumps, short in length, Aaron Hardie hangs back and pushes it to extra cover.

FOUR! Same shot, same result! Mujeeb Ur Rahman darts this one in, full and on off, Aaron Hardie is quick to pull out the reverse sweep and uses his fast hands to hit this one hard and through backward point for four more runs.

Slows it up now and gets this one to turn away, a bit short, outside off, Aaron Hardie makes room to go over extra cover but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Gets it through! A bit quicker this time, full and on off, Aaron Hardie connects with the reverse sweep this time and hits a bit aerially but gets it past the diving Nic Maddinson at backward point for a boundary.

Tosses it up again, on off, Aaron Hardie drives it firmly but picks out the man at extra cover.

Starts with a full delivery, slower and outside off, Aaron Hardie goes for the reverse sweep but misses out.

Peach! Moves away the other way round now. Lands in on a length and takes it away after pitching. Inglis feels for it and gets beaten.