Cricket Australia wants to play a larger role in the preparation for Geelong’s next Big Bash match

Cricket’s governing body has completed its probe into an abandoned BBL match at GMHBA Stadium late last year due to a damaged wicket following a massive downpour.

Melbourne Renegades players Quinton de Kock and Aaron Finch chat after play was halted at GMHBA Stadium on December 10. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Cricket Australia plans to play a bigger role in the lead up to the next Big Bash League match in Geelong in December following last summer’s abandoned fixture when water damaged the wicket.

The national cricketing peak body has completed its investigation into what went wrong and caused the game between the Melbourne Renegades and the Perth Scorchers on December 10 to be called off in the seventh over, including accessing CCTV vision.

However, the abandoned match, following a massive local downpour and water got under the covers and on to the strip, has given CA pause for thought to reconsider its own processes regarding elite level cricket.

This masthead understands CA has put some new protocols in place to help ensure a repeat does not occur at GMHBA Stadium and wants to play a larger role in the week leading up to this summer’s match.

Melbourne Renegades players inspect the wicket during the December 10 match at GMHBA Stadium. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Renegades captain Nic Maddinson had said the wicket was “absolutely drenched” at the toss, with several deliveries from Will Sutherland kicking off a good length before umpires called a stop to play.

When probed by this masthead, Cricket Australia Big Bash Leagues general manager Alistair Dobson was reluctant to elaborate on how much human error was to blame for effectively making the wicket unplayable.

“Preparing elite cricket venues and wickets is a really challenging role and has a range of components to it,” Dobson said.

“We know our venues only work with the best and we’ll continue to do so.

“I’ll probably leave it at that.”

He was also tight lipped if compensation was being sought by the Renegades or Cricket Victoria following the abandoned game, with general admission ticket holders receiving a full refund.

It comes as the Renegades are set to play their annual match at Kardinia Park on December 19 against the Hobart Hurricanes.

Dobson said CA’s investigation began the day after the aborted match.

“We worked closely with the venue and our operations team here at Cricket Australia to try and get a real clear picture of the circumstances that led to the game not being able to be completed,” he said.

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

“That happened over a period of a couple of months, as we’ve become clearer on that ... and (we have) real confidence that we can put in place some actions for this season.

“Our focus has very quickly turned to putting on the best possible event for this coming season, and bringing the Big Bash back to Geelong.”

However, Dobson said CA was keen to play a greater role in pitch preparation at GMHBA.

“It was an unfortunate way for that game to unfold last year, and we’ve been working really closely with the venue and our cricket operations team here at Cricket Australia and the Renegades to get a picture of what happened and put in place a number of actions with the venue,” he said.

“The venue’s been really open to some of our suggestions … working more closely with them as we get towards the game.

“Cricket Australia has some independent experts, pitch consultants and curators … that we work with that we will bring into the preparation for the game for that match.

The match was abandoned after less than seven overs. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

“There are obviously processes that take place in the lead up, we’ll play a closer role and work more closely than perhaps we did last year with the venue in the lead up to the game.

“And then a range of procedural things, and processes we will look to tighten up.”

He said last year’s abandoned game had not dimmed CA or the Renegades’ desire to bring BBL cricket back to Geelong.

“The Renegades have got a big passionate fan base in Geelong,” he said.

“It’s a great venue ... it’s going to be another highlight of this coming Big Bash season.

“We’re really excited to come back to Geelong again this year.”

Originally published as Cricket Australia wants to play a larger role in the preparation for Geelong’s next Big Bash match