Strikers-Thunder clash abandoned in contentious fashion

The Adelaide Strikers-Sydney Thunder clash at Adelaide Oval on Friday ended in bizarre and contentious fashion, abandoned with Thunder needing just three runs off 13 balls in a five-over shootout.

Play had already been reduced to a five-over dash after persistent pre-match rain, but when a light drizzle returned in the third over of Thunder's chase, the umpires took the players off. The decision stunned the Thunder camp, with the on-field commentator calling the No Result "an embarrassment for the game". Broadcasters noted the drizzle was lighter than at several stages when play had continued earlier.

Both teams, stuck at sixth and seventh on the points table, were desperate for the two points. Once conditions eased, a five-over contest began, and Thunder skipper Phoebe Litchfield opted to chase. The Strikers were kept to 45, thanks largely to tight overs from Shabnim Ismail and Chamari Athapaththu, who conceded just 11 runs between them. Laura Wolvaardt's 13-ball 22, featuring half of her team's six boundaries, propped up the innings.

Thunder's reply was electric. Litchfield hammered five fours and a two off Darcie Brown's second over as the bowler wrestled with a wet ball, powering Thunder to 35 in two overs. They were one hit away from victory when, after 2.5 overs, the umpires halted play, and then called the match off, leaving those in the green camp stunned.

Brief scores: Adelaide Strikers 45/2 in 5 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 22; Shabnim Ismail 1-6) vs Sydney Thunder 43/0 in 2.5 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 38*) Match Abandoned.

The morning fixture at the same venue was called off without a ball being bowled. The No Result gave Brisbane Heat their first points of the season having lost each of their six previous games.