Canberra's lingering smoke haze led to unprecedented scenes in the national capital over the weekend.
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In a matter of minutes on Saturday night, the Big Bash League clash at Manuka Oval between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers became unplayable and was called off four balls short of an official game being completed due to safety and visibility concerns.
![Thunder's Callum Ferguson walks off Manuka Oval as smoke haze forces the stoppage of play against the Strikers on Saturday. Thunder's Callum Ferguson walks off Manuka Oval as smoke haze forces the stoppage of play against the Strikers on Saturday.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/417566af-7cc7-471d-8696-6b0fab303d2f.jpg/r0_187_800_601_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The same fate befell the Australian Baseball League clash between Canberra Cavalry and Brisbane Bandits at Narrabundah just minutes later. A star American import was so fed up he flew back home mid-season!
It's not only the national capital copping it. Canberra United overcame smoky conditions in Adelaide to down the Reds 2-1 and stay in the W-League top four on Sunday.
At least the WNBL champs, Canberra Capitals, can't be stopped by anything on or off court. Might be time to move every sport indoors!
Despite the hazardous conditions, there's no doubt Sydney Thunder coach Shane Bond summed it up best on Saturday night when he said: "You've got to stop to take a breath and say losing a point [for an incomplete game] is not the same as losing your house."
Remember, if you've got a yarn for us over the quiet Christmas and New Year period, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at sport@canberratimes.com.au.
Have a great week!