- A Big Bash League match was abandoned on Sunday
- Concerns were raised about the condition of the field
- Ricky Ponting criticized the 'ridiculous' scenes
The Big Bash League match between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers was abandoned due to player safety in Geelong on Sunday.
The umpires took the players off the field during Perth's innings after concerns were raised about the condition of the wicket.
The condition of the pitch had been badly affected by the rain that leaked onto it in the build-up to the match, and the uneven bouncing on the pitch raised alarm bells for the on-field referees.
After a quick delivery from Will Sutherland flew past Josh Inglis at the crease, cricket legend Ricky Ponting had had enough.
“I'm going to say it: I think that's a bit ridiculous,” he said on Channel 7. “We went into this game hoping that the wicket would play better than we thought and better than it looked, but that one there is… if that is right, where does it go? Right under your grill.”
Melbourne Renegades' match against Perth Scorchers was abandoned on Sunday
The referees took the players off the field because they feared for their safety
Renegades star Aaron Finch said: 'I haven't heard anything from the referees but they are clearly concerned about how the balls are bouncing in that wet spot here.
“It's that good length. It is six to seven meters long. A few balls come in. They're clearly a little concerned about that.'
'It has been used (by curators), but even there it only removes a few large holes from the surface. You can see that one that Josh Inglis has right there, he's grabbed the seam and he's bouncing ridiculously.
“If that's in alignment with someone's body or their head, then those can be real problems.”
Renegade skipper Nic Maddinson made his vision on the pitch clear in no uncertain terms.
“The wicket is absolutely soaked,” Maddinson said.
The match was abandoned after 6.5 overs with the visitors struggling at 2-30.