- A Big Bash League game was abandoned on Sunday
- Concerns were raised over the state of the pitch
- Ricky Ponting slammed the ‘ridiculous’ scenes
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The Big Bash League game between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers was abandoned on Sunday over player safety in Geelong.
The umpires brought the players off the pitch during Perth’s innings after concerns were raised about the condition of the wicket.
The state of the pitch had been heavily affected by rain leaking onto it in the build up to the game, and the uneven bounce on the pitch raised alarm bells for the on-field umpires.
After a fast delivery from Will Sutherland fizzed past Josh Inglis at the crease, cricket legend Ricky Ponting had enough.
‘I’m going to say it: I think that’s a bit ridiculous,’ he said on Channel 7. ‘We started this game hoping that the wicket was going to play better than we thought and better than it looked, but that one there is … if that’s straight where is it going to go? Straight up under your grill.’
Melbourne Renegades’ game against Perth Scorchers was abandoned on Sunday
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The umpires brought the players off the pitch over fears for their safety
Renegades star Aaron Finch said: ‘I didn’t hear anything that the umps were saying but obviously they’re concerned with how the balls are bouncing from that wet patch here.
‘It’s on that good length. It’s six to seven metre length. A few balls are getting in there. They’re obviously a little bit concerned about that.’
‘It’s been tapped in (by curators) but it’s just taking some big divots out of the surface there as well. You can see that one that josh inglis got just there, it’s gripped the seam and it’s bouncing ridiculously.
‘If that’s on line with someone’s body or their head then that could be some real issues.’
Renegades skipper Nic Maddinson made his views on the pitch clear in no uncertain terms.
‘The wicket’s absolutely drenched, Maddinson said.
The game was abandoned after 6.5 overs with the visitors struggling at 2-30.
