Just 6.5 overs are possible in the fourth match of BBL13 after the umpires concluded that players were at risk amid conditions which saw the ball leap around off a length
Perth Scorchers' Big Bash League title defence has begun with their clash with Melbourne Renegades being abandoned due to an unsafe pitch at GMHBA Stadium.
Just 6.5 overs of the Scorchers' innings (30 for 2) were possible before umpires Ben Treloar and Simon Lightbody hauled the players off after the surface showed signs of extraordinary uneven bounce and lavish movement off the seam.
The delivery which triggered the decision came from Will Sutherland, a ball which moved away from Josh Inglis and provoked Quinton de Kock to put his glove to his mouth such was the extravagant movement.
Discussions then took place between the match officials, both sides and Cricket Australia before the decision was taken 20 minutes later to abandon the contest, with each side sharing the two points.
Heavy overnight rain had seeped underneath the covers and despite best efforts to dry it out Renegades captain Nic Maddinson described it as "absolutely drenched" as he won the bat flip and inserted the visitors.
Maddinson added, speaking on Fox Sports as the players trudged off the field: "If that ball is straight it hits him in the head or the forearm - it's a different story isn't it?
Quinton de Kock and Aaron Finch deliberate as the match heads towards an abandonment (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
"That's the thing you look out for and player safety is of paramount importance.
"I know the fans want a game and we want to play as much as anyone. But when there are divots coming out of the wicket and the ball is seaming around like it is, both sideways and upwards, player safety comes into it."
On the commentary for 7Cricket, as the episode took place, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feared for the safety of the players.
"I think that's a bit ridiculous, to be honest," he said. "We started this game hoping that the wicket was going to play better than we thought and better than it looked. If this is straight where is it going to go? Straight up under your grille.
It was the second game in as many days to be abandoned after Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat were frustrated by inclement weather on Saturday (December 9).
Umpire Ben Treloar talked through the decision-making process around the curtailment, admitting they hoped troublesome pre-match conditions would not play out during the game.
Jake Fraser-McGurk signs autographs with disappointed young fans (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
"That last delivery that we saw behaved quite uncharacteristically and in our minds, we thought it behaved dangerously so that was the reason for coming off," he said.
"After the first few overs, we were quite hopeful it was ok but then it started to go south and that last one did enough that we thought it was dangerous.
"We've got processes and protocols that we need to follow in this kind of situation, they don't happen all that often. We took some time, we spoke to who we had to and came up with the final decision to end play for today."
Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner asked for some more wiggle room around the playing regulations but ultimately had no arguments with the decision.
"We knew there were some doubts over the wicket but we made a fair go of it," he added. "We had enough evidence to call the game. The umpires made a really difficult decision but the right decision. Fortunately, no one got hurt."
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.