WBBL game abandoned after ‘unbelievable’ blunder

There have been unprecedented scenes in the WBBL with Friday’s match abandoned after a bizarre blunder following the first innings.

The Adelaide Strikers have played host to a remarkable WBBL abandonment on Friday night, after a ball was effectively rolled into the playing wicket mid-match.

The home side posted a competitive 4/167 from their 20 overs at Karen Rolton Oval, with Madeline Penna top-scoring with an unbeaten 63.

But as both teams prepared for the run chase, a rogue warm-up ball found its way onto the wicket and was pressed into the surface as the curator continued rolling the pitch.

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Crazy scenes at KRO as Amanda-Jade Wellington misses a throw during the innings break fielding practice and ends up tossing the ball under the roller.

Ball wedged into the wicket and has left a big divot.#[e-mail]/nHaLIvc3BG

— Aaron Bryans (@AaronBryans) December 5, 2025

The routine preparation — minus the stray ball — caused it to settle into the wicket, and once removed, left a sizeable hole. After inspection, officials had no option but to abandon the match.

Cricket Australia released a statement on the bizarre chain of events in Adelaide.

Incredible scenes have ended a WBBL match between the Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes.

“During the innings break and with teams warming up, a ball was inadvertently rolled onto the pitch while the roller was being used. The ball went beneath the roller creating a hole in the pitch,” the statement said.

“As a result, the pitch conditions were changed significantly. After consultation between the match referee and the umpires, it was considered unreasonable to expect the Hurricanes to bat in conditions that were materially different than those the Strikers had experienced.

“Both team captains were consulted by the officials and were accepting of this decision.”

It follows the extraordinary no-result at Adelaide Oval just a week earlier, where the Sydney Thunder were denied the chance to face one more ball as rain fell — a single delivery which would have forced a result.

Originally published as WBBL game abandoned after ‘unbelievable’ blunder