‘Absolutely disgraceful’: Anger as sprinklers go off at Aussie women’s cricket match

Farcical scenes moments before Australia’s women’s cricket team was about to play a match against Pakistan has sparked anger.

There were farcical scenes moments before the Australian women’s cricket team’s second T20 International against Pakistan on Thursday when sprinklers inexplicably turned on.

Just as the players were about to take the field at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena, several sprinklers positioned on the centre wicket near the pitch started going off.

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“That there probably isn’t the best of signs at the start of a T20 international,” Mel Jones said in commentary on Fox Cricket.

“The sprinklers are on. It’s not the warmest of days as well. There will be a mad rush from the ground staff and the powers-that-be at the moment to switch it off.

“A little sprinkling of an artificial shower there, which brings some smiles to the Australians’ faces.”

The bizarre scenes took viewers by surprise and had many wondering why the sprinklers were turned on.

Many commentators said it wasn’t a good look at all and would never have happened at a professional men’s cricket game.

Someone forgot to turn the sprinklers off 😂 #AUSvPAKpic.twitter.com/msNIbpTnd4

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 26, 2023

Moments before the 2nd women’s T20I at Bellerive Oval and the sprinklers are on the centre wicket area! Far from ideal… coverage on @abcsport. Pakistan batting first #AUSvPAKpic.twitter.com/Zyx40pSTVY

— Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) January 26, 2023

Sports presenter Tom Wildie tweeted: “It’s just not good enough that the sprinklers come on moments before an international cricket match. Or any professional match.”

Anna Lanning, the sister of Australian captain Meg Lanning, said the stuff-up was “absolutely disgraceful”.

“WOULD NOT happen at a men’s international game,” she wrote.

The sprinklers didn't the memo that a cricket game was about to start. Photo: Fox Sports.

After the sprinklers came on momentarily before the start of play, Ash Gardner took the first wicket in the second over of the match as one of a record nine bowlers used by the Australians who limited Pakistan to just 7-96 from 20 overs.

Only captain Meg Lanning and keeper Beth Mooney didn’t bowl as leg-spinner Alana King took 2-10.

The run chase was all too easy for the Aussies with Mooney smashing 46 off 29 balls to help reel in the paltry total in less than 14 overs, sealing the series with one match to go in a show of strength before their T20 World Cup defence begins in South Africa in February.

It was Australia’s first T20 win in Hobart in five attempts, but their first at the venue since 2014.

Australia also took it’s unbeaten record against Pakistan to 13 in T20 cricket, having never lost in 15 clashes, two of which were abandoned.

— With NCA NewsWire

Australia won game two of the T20 International series between Australia and Pakistan. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)