Cricket Australia slammed for controversial WBBL finish

The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) contest on Friday between Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder at the Adelaide Oval ended controversially. With Thunder needing just three runs off 13 balls to seal a comfortable victory, the umpires decided to halt play due to rain and then abandoned the match altogether. The decision has triggered widespread criticism, with some calling the ending embarrassing and a disgrace to the game.

Rain had threatened the match from the very beginning. Persistent showers delayed the start, forcing officials to reduce the contest to a five-over shootout for both teams. The conditions remained tough throughout, but play continued despite several phases of drizzle. Both the Strikers and Thunder are languishing at the bottom of the table, making the two points even more important. Despite lighter rain than earlier in the night, the umpires opted to stop play at a time when Thunder were just a few runs away from the win.

The early match between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers had already been washed out without a ball being bowled, giving Heat their first point of the season.  The shortened match saw Adelaide Strikers post 45 for 2 in their five overs. Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 22 off 13 balls, hitting two boundaries and a six. Captain Tahlia McGrath chipped in with an unbeaten 12 off 6 balls, while Shabnim Ismail and Lucy Finn picked up a wicket each for the Thunder. 

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Thunder skipper Phoebe Litchfield, who has been one of the season’s standout performers, came out all guns blazing in the chase. Despite a drizzle, she smashed 38 not out from just 15 balls, including eight fours. By the end of 2.5 overs, Thunder had raced to 43 without loss. They needed only one boundary to complete a victory. But the umpires stopped the play because of rain. Moments later, they officially abandoned the match, resulting in a No Result.

Litchfield herself expressed disappointment in a post-match interview, saying, “It’s a shame. It’s pretty disappointing.” Former Australia batter Callum Ferguson went even harder on the broadcast, calling the decision a disgrace and claiming it made the game look bad. Commentators also pointed out that the rain was lighter at the time of the stoppage than during several earlier overs when play continued uninterrupted.