The Perth Scorchers will seek to reset their Big Bash League title defence after a bizarre false start in the abandoned clash with the Melbourne Renegades.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Scorchers faced just 6.5 overs before their season-opening fixture at Geelong's GMHBA Stadium on Sunday was called off because of a dangerous pitch.
Water damage had made it unplayable, leading to unpredictable and inconsistent bounce.
Scorchers batters were hit on multiple occasions, though none were seriously hurt.
The teams were handed an even split of the points, leaving Perth coach Adam Voges wondering what might have been.
"We came for four points," Voges said.
"We came to win a game, so to split the points through no wrongdoing of our own is frustrating."
The Scorchers will stay in Melbourne in the build-up to Wednesday's MCG clash with the Stars.
Voges will reassess the Scorchers' preparation for what now shapes as their first full fixture of the campaign after the lighter-than-expected workload on Sunday.
"That's as simple as it is for us - we start on Wednesday. If the guys need to get an extra hit-out , they can," Voges said.
"We've had a pretty solid week coming into this game and to get into our campaign. We'll just see what each individual needs."
Ground staff had worked feverishly on Sunday in an attempt to dry the GMHBA Stadium pitch after heavy rain crept under the covers and damaged it overnight.
Some players had serious early concerns about the pitch, which Renegades captain Nic Maddinson declared at the coin toss was still "absolutely drenched".
The decision to start the match drew stinging criticism from cricket greats Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan, with the former Australian captain declaring the scenario "ridiculous".
The scenes brought back Voges' memories of an abandoned 2019 Sheffield Shield contest between Victoria and Western Australia at the MCG.
"We had that Shield game that was called off in a similar type of circumstance where it became dangerous to the batting group," Voges said.
"We had several guys that did get hit that day.
"In context, the umpires calling it off when they did I think was the right call.
"We were just waiting for something bad to happen tonight and credit to them for forecasting that.
"It's disappointing for all the people that came out to watch but ultimately I think they made the right call."
Australian Associated Press
