Kardinia Park Stadium Trust planned for potential legal proceedings in the days after the abandoned Big Bash game

The managers of GMHBA Stadium planned for the “worst case scenario” of legal proceedings following the abandoned Melbourne Renegades match.

Melbourne Renegades players, including Aaron Finch (right), inspect the GMHBA Stadium pitch on December 10, 2023. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

The managers of GMHBA Stadium anticipated a “substantial” claim from Cricket Australia in the days after the cancellation of a Big Bash game at Kardinia Park 15 months ago due to an unsafe wicket, internal briefing notes reveal.

However, this masthead understands the matter is still being settled through a traditional negotiated settlement process not involving CA.

The notes, attained through Freedom of Information, revealed the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust expected a compensation bid relating to direct and indirect financial impacts after the December 10 match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Perth Scorchers was abandoned after 6.5 overs.

The pitch was deemed “inconsistent and two-paced” after deliveries landed at the southern end of the wicket, the briefing notes reveal.

The trust moved to assemble a project working group in the week after the December game preparing for a “worse-case scenario”, involving mediation and potential legal proceedings between the insurers of all parties involved.

The game was abandoned in the seventh over. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

“This may be a long and drawn-out process,” the trust’s briefing notes reveal.

“We have alerted the Victorian Managed Insurance Agency of a likely claim against KPST.”

However, this masthead understands the Renegades had previously sought compensation for the abandoned fixture while league boss Alistair Dobson said last year CA would not be making a claim.

In a statement this week, trust chief executive Gerard Griffin expected the matter to be “finalised shortly” and it continued to use the same turf management team.

“Kardinia Park Stadium Trust looks forward to working with Cricket Australia to host successful BBL matches in the future,” Griffin said.

Following an investigation, Cricket Australia found the abandoned match was due to a “range of unfortunate events rather than any one factor”.

Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell speaks to the ground staff. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

There had been heavy rain in Geelong before the match and water was identified on the pitch on Sunday morning when the covers were removed, the notes reveal.

A grow light was used to dry the wicket before the game began.

Part of an investigation, the trust sought a formal explanation from its turf consultant, reserving the right to take further action if it chose to do so.

The trust inspected CCTV vision and sought level legal advice on its agreements with Cricket Australia and its turf consultant.

In a statement last year, CA said it planned to work more closely with Kardinia Park’s turf management before future BBL games.

Kardinia Park hosted the Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes on December 19 last year.

Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Kardinia Park Stadium Trust planned for potential legal proceedings in the days after the abandoned Big Bash game