WBBL 2025: Adelaide Strikers-Hobart Hurricanes clash abandoned due to bizarre hole in pitch

Match 37 of the Women’s Big Bash League 2025 between Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes at the Karen Rolton Oval was abandoned for an extraordinary reason.

Notably, the game was called off after the first innings as a cricket ball rolled into the pitch by one of the heavy roller during the innings break, leading to an irreparable hole in the pitch.

According to the WBBL regulations, the pitch was being rolled during the innings break. A ball from a nearby fielding warm-up session accidently rolled into the deck and made its way between the roller and the pitch, casuing a ball-shaped cavity in the surface right in the middle of the pitch.

The final decision was made after the match referee and umpires had a word with captains Tahlia McGrath and Elyse Villani.

“As a result, the pitch conditions were changed significantly. After consultations between the match referee and the umpires, it was considered unreasonable to expect the Hurricanes to bat in conditions that were materially different than those the Strikers had experienced. Both team captains were consulted by the officials and were accepting of the decision,” a release from the Strikers read.

Speaking of the match, the Hurricanes opted to field first after winning the toss. The Strikers posted 167/4 with Madeline Penna remaining unbeaten till the end with a 51-ball 63. Nat Sciver-Brunt was the pick of the bowlers.

As for the Strikers, it was their third no-result in the competition. The McGrath-led unit will have to win their final league-phase clash against Sydney Sixers on December 7 to make their way into the playoffs. As for the Hurricanes, they have secured a spot in the next stage after winning seven of their 10 games.