The Scorchers have recorded the first win of the BBL season after heavy rainfall and lightning caused a delay at Optus Stadium, Perth, leading to a 11-over match against the Sixers.
Fox Cricket’s coverage started with a thunderstorm approaching and covers on the pitch with Adam Gilchrist saying there’d been “perfect weather” in the lead up to the match.
The rain then came down heavily with the game originally slated for a 7:15pm (AEDT) start.
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That weather eventually passed as the crowd returning to their seats but by 7:49pm, ground staff still couldn’t work on the ground due to the presence of lightning.
Optus Stadium before the opening BBL match. Getty
Play eventually started at 8:35pm, with the game reduced to 11 overs per side.
The Scorchers won the bat flip and decided to field first.
Before the match, Fox Cricket’s commentator Mark Howard revealed Sixers players were given access to their phones to check in with loved ones after the shooting at Bondi Beach.
Babar Azam’s highly anticipated debut for the Sixers was a disappointment with the Pakistan superstar caught for 2 off 5 balls.
Babar Azam leaves the field. Getty
The Sixers finished 5-113 with Jack Edwards top scoring on 46 not out. Brody Crouch had the best figures of 2-12.
Perth had an early scare when Azam caught Mitch Marsh for a duck off Charlie Stobo’s bowling after the third ball of the match.
That brought Cooper Connolly to the crease who won the match for the Scorchers with 59 as the total was chased down with five balls left. Perth finished 5-117.
