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WBBL Match Abandoned After Roller Presses Stray Ball Into Pitch

The freak incident follows a recent Strikers no‑result, intensifying scrutiny of ground procedures.

Overview

  • Officials called off Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes at Karen Rolton Oval after a heavy roller pressed a stray ball into the pitch, leaving an unplayable hole.
  • Curator repairs failed and, following consultations, the match referee and umpires ruled the surface unsafe, with captains Tahlia McGrath and Elyse Villani accepting the decision.
  • Cricket Australia said the pitch conditions changed materially between innings, making it unreasonable to ask Hobart to bat under different conditions than Adelaide faced.
  • Adelaide had posted 167-4, led by Madeline Penna’s 51-ball 63, but Hobart’s chase never began after a brief shower and the roller incident.
  • Wisden reported the sequence began with a stray throw from Amanda-Jade Wellington during warm-ups, and noted it was the Strikers’ second no‑result in a week after the November 28 Thunder game.