Sydney Thunder ‘robbed’ of WBBL victory after umpires call off Adelaide Strikers’ clash due to rain

A WBBL match which played through rain ended in “farcical” scenes when umpires decided to abandon play with Sydney Thunder three runs from victory.

Darcie Brown and Georgia Voll shake hands after the match was called off.

The WBBL has been marred by “unacceptable” scenes after a controversial decision to bring players from the ground in the Strikers-Thunder clash, with the visitors needing just three runs for victory.

Adelaide Oval played host to a WBBL double-header on Friday evening, but the South Australian weather didn’t play its part. The first clash between the Sixers and Heat was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The Strikers-Thunder match looked to be heading the same way until a break in the weather allowed for a five-over game to get underway.

Adelaide posted a competitive 2-45 from their five overs, before Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield came out swinging to try and get her team over the line.

The Australian opener hit a blistering 38 not out off 15 balls to guide her side to 0-43 after 2.5 overs. During that innings, the rain continued, but players at the ground confirmed that it was not heavier than at the start of the match.

However, the umpires decided before the final ball of the third over to take the players from the field.

Nooooo way!

In a five-over game, the Thunder needed three more runs to win off 13 balls...

And umpires call for the covers with rain no heavier than it had been in the previous 15 minutes, per @TheoDrop.

Game called off, no result 🫣#WBBL11pic.twitter.com/b24oi9XmsF

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 28, 2025

A break from the #Ashes for some @WBBL in the rain at @TheAdelaideOvalpic.twitter.com/1ySiyrtGPl

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 28, 2025

The chase is on! Phoebe Litchfield wastes no time smashing a boundary on just the second ball! 💥 #WBBL11pic.twitter.com/pPnXQGlKTq

— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 28, 2025

Channel 7 commentator and former Australian batter Callum Ferguson was incredulous at the decision.

“It beggars belief,” Ferguson said. “I’m absolutely flabbergasted.

“It’s unacceptable in my eyes. We are seeing the rainfall here as lightly as it has been throughout the innings.”

Fellow Channel 7 commentator Alister Nicholson went one step further, saying the decision was an “utter embarrassment” and that the “Sydney Thunder have been robbed of victory”.

What a disgrace @CricketAus and @WBBL you have to be kidding

— David Lyall (@davidlyall) November 28, 2025

That should’ve been called off in the first over of that Thunder innings. It was hosing down. Ridiculous they played in those conditions and then they call it off when there is just 3 runs required. Farcical. #WBBL

— Max Hatzoglou (@MHatzoglou) November 28, 2025

What a disgrace. Thunder on the verge of a win, what an innings from Phoebe Litchfield, just needed one more hit, a complete and utter disgrace to come off.... @ThunderBBL@copes9@WBBL#wbbl

— Tony Tannous (@TonyTannousTRBA) November 28, 2025

To her credit, Litchfield remained composed after the game, but was clearly frustrated with the umpires’ decision.

“I’m a bit disappointed,” Litchfield said. “It’s a shame. The fact that we got on and it was a really entertaining game, and we were so close to a result, it’s pretty disappointing that we didn’t play a full game.

“Both the Strikers and us needed some wins. We were pretty keen to get the two points on. The (ground staff) did an amazing job getting the ground up and running. For all that work, it’s disappointing not to get a result.

“You’ve got to respect the umpire’s decision, but I’m pretty disappointed.”

Because the game was called off before both teams faced five overs, the match will be classified as no result, meaning the Thunder and Strikers will be awarded one point each.

It was a massive blow to the Thunder’s slim finals chances, as they remain second-last on the ladder with only two wins to their name.

Originally published as Sydney Thunder ‘robbed’ of WBBL victory after umpires call off Adelaide Strikers’ clash due to rain