Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges has expressed his relief at players avoiding serious injuries amid farcical scenes on a dangerous Big Bash League pitch in Geelong.
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Sunday's fixture between the reigning champion Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades was abandoned after just 6.5 overs at GMHBA Stadium.
Water damage had made the pitch unplayable, with multiple Scorchers batters hit by deliveries before umpires stopped play with the visitors struggling at 2-30.
"They still copped a few in the stomach but we're just thankful no one's been seriously injured out of this," Voges said.
"The umpires calling it off when they did was the right call.
"We were just waiting for something bad to happen tonight and credit to them for forecasting that."
The teams were awarded an even share of the points in a situation Voges said was a "frustrating and disappointing" way for the Scorchers to begin their title defence.
Ground staff had worked feverishly on Sunday in an attempt to dry the pitch after heavy rain crept under the covers and damaged it overnight.
Play began as scheduled despite a visible wet patch towards the southern end, with Renegades captain Nic Maddinson declaring the pitch still "absolutely drenched" at the coin toss.
He sent the Scorchers in to bat on an unpredictable surface but later said the match should never have started.
"It was pretty obvious when the covers came off before the toss that it was quite wet," Maddinson said.
"Player safety is the highest priority and I thought the decision probably could've been made a little bit sooner, but in the end it was right they made the call they did."
Umpires Simon Lightbody and Ben Treloar had hoped the match could be completed, but said Will Sutherland's last few deliveries to Inglis made it clear the pitch was unsafe.
"We wanted to give play every chance. It's why we started to play," Treloar said on the Fox Sports broadcast.
"After the first few overs, we were quite hopeful (of the game being completed) but that last ball to Inglis, that was enough for us.
"That was the one that put us in this position. The safety of the players is paramount."
Cricket greats Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan slammed the "ridiculous" scenario in commentary.
"I think we always say that is unfortunate, but seriously, you can't get enough covers to cover an area of turf so today's game goes ahead?" Vaughan said on Fox Sports.
"I just find, in cricket, we make too many excuses for what I think shouldn't have happened."
Aiming to become the first team to win three straight BBL titles, the Scorchers will remain in Melbourne ahead of Wednesday's encounter with the Stars at the MCG.
The Renegades have an extended break before their clash with the Brisbane Heat on December 21.
Australian Associated Press
