Smoke from bushfires forces abandonment of Big Bash League match in Canberra

December 21, 2019

Heavy smoke drifting over Manuka Oval from bushfires in southern NSW has halted this evening’s Bash League clash between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers.

The ladder-leading Thunder, set a target of 162, reached 1-40 after 4.2 overs when umpires stopped play because of concerns about air quality and visibility.

Canberra has been blanketed by smoke from fires raging on the NSW South Coast over recent days and while conditions were deemed safe to begin the match at 6.10pm local time, play was stopped about two hours later when visibility and air quality deteriorated rapidly.

The ladder-leading Thunder, had enough runs on the board to be declared winners after five overs but BBL rules dictate a minimum of five overs is required in the second innings to constitute a game, so points will be split.

Thunder captain Callum Ferguson, who was 27 not out, appeared angry when umpires Paul Wilson and Sam Nogajski told him they were halting play during Rashid Khan’s opening over.

However, Thunder coach Shane Bond later said of the decision “you've got to stop to take a breath and say losing a point is not the same as losing your house.

“You always want to do what you can to get a game in [but] there's some challenges for Cricket Australia and the BBL, and ultimately you just want to get it right so the fans don't get sick.

"We thought you could finish a game [based on visibility] ... but the air quality was poor, people went down in the stands. The fact you drop a point is not anything compared to what other people are going through."

The Air Quality Index in Canberra has hovered at a ‘hazardous’ level this evening, according to ACT Health with their website advising all Canberrans "to avoid physical activity outside".

Several spectators and event staff wore smoke masks as breathing became increasingly difficult as the sun went down, and post-match, a press release issued by Cricket Australia described the playing conditions as "dangerous and unreasonable".

Image: Sydney Thunder captain Callum Ferguson exits the field at Manuka Oval this evening as a smoke haze covers the ground. Courtesy of Sydney Thunder/Facebook.

20th December 2019 - Bushfires see luxury NSW Blue Mountains resort suspend arrivals

19th December 2019 - Sapphire Coast tourism operators urge holidaymakers not to be deterred by bushfires

16th December 2019 - Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens threatened by bushfire

3rd December 2019 - Cricket Australia refuses gambling sponsor for Big Bash League

1st November 2019 - Cricket Australia records $18 million operating surplus through a year of ‘healing’

20th September 2019 - International sport bodies unite to combat climate change

10th September 2019 - New report highlights the impact of climate change on cricket

10th July 2019 - Populous-designed Manuka Oval Media and Function Centre recognised at ACT Architecture Awards

6th February 2019 - Climate change set to impact Australia’s summer sporting calendar

31st January 2019 - Big Bash League fixture moved from Alice Springs after playing surface deemed unfit

25th January 2019 - Cricket Australia and Optus Stadium management condemn white supremacist banner at Big Bash League game

18th October 2018 - Cricket fans warned against buying Big Bash tickets from resellers

27th January 2017 - Big Bash League to expand in season Seven

8th August 2016 - ACT Government rejects Manuka Oval redevelopment plan

8th February 2013 - New floodlights operational at Manuka Oval

10th February 2009 - Sport Rallies for Bushfire Relief

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