BBL09: Sydney Thunder denied victory against Adelaide Strikers after bushfire smoke covers Manuka Oval

Play was abandoned in Canberra after a thick layer of smoke covered the ground, which left air quality seven times worse than Delhi.

Play between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers at Manuka Oval was abandoned after a thick layer of smoke blanketed Canberra on Saturday evening.

Bushfire smoke filled the stadium during the fifth over of the Thunder’s run chase, forcing players from the field due to poor air quality and impaired vision.

Spectators were scrambling for face masks as conditions Manuka Oval worsened – at one stage the air quality on Canberra was reported to be seven times worse than Delhi.

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Economical bowling from Daniel Sams helped the Thunder restrict the Strikers to 5/161 in the first innings

Sams delivered the first maiden of the tournament in the opening over of the match, dismissing English opener Phil Salt with a bouncer.

Jonathan Wells, who top-scored for the Strikers with 55 not out, smacked two sixes and ensured the visiting attack had something to bowl with.

South African all-rounder Chris Morris, on BBL debut after fetching AU$2 million in the recent Indian Premier League auction, claimed the key scalp of Carey then removed Rashid Khan for a golden duck.

The Thunder’s run chase started well, with skipper Callum Ferguson pummelling 27 unbeaten runs from his opening 14 balls.

However, with four balls needed to secure a result, umpires officially revealed the match had been abandoned, and the players shook hands.

Play has been abandoned at Manuka Oval

Stay safe everyone 💙 #BlueEnergy #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/iZTmCPyjYx

— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) December 21, 2019

Fox Cricket commentator Mark Howard described the chaotic situation.

"You can smell the smoke in the commentary box," said Howard.

"Frightening what people are going through in this part of the world."

Umpire Paul Wilson spoke to Fox Cricket after the players were escorted from the field.

"I understand that the Thunder have four balls to go. We can’t take that into consideration," Wilson said.

"It’s about air quality. We would not have started like this."

Bit of smoke rolling in at Manuka Oval 👀

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Live blog 📝: https://t.co/4RobtxHjmn pic.twitter.com/car2JuOW5Q

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 21, 2019

Like something from a horror movie but in real life Canberra.... #Auspol #bushfires #BBL09 https://t.co/3dpcUD9q51

— Roy Ward (@rpjward) December 21, 2019

The Thunder have had terrible luck with external factors impeding BBL wins – last season, a power outage at the Gabba denied the visitors a much-needed victory.

As a result, the Thunder missed out on a spot in the semi-finals.

Thunder coach Shane Bond voiced his frustrations during the stoppage of play.

“It’s obvious we’ve got four balls to finish the game, and we were hoping to get the game done,” Bond told Fox Cricket.

“I absolutely understand the air quality is poor. It’s easy for us, because we’re in a strong position to want to keep going.

“We were prepared for this coming in, but at the end of the day, it’s about the player safety. We just have to suck it up, and hopefully we get the opportunity to get back out there and finish the game.

“We were just hoping the umpires would push through to finish the game, people want a result if you can get one. We respect the doctors’ decision, so we just have to wait now.”

The Thunder won their first two matches of this season’s BBL, and remain undefeated.

With AAP

Originally published as BBL09: Sydney Thunder denied victory against Adelaide Strikers after bushfire smoke covers Manuka Oval