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Dangerous pitch mars one-dayer in Sydney

A dangerous pitch at North Sydney Oval has led to the abandonment of a one-day clash between NSW and Victoria, with the visitors being awarded the win.

The battle for finals spots in the domestic one-day cricket competition has descended into high farce after a fixture at North Sydney Oval was abandoned mid-chase.

A dangerous pitch led to Victoria defeating NSW on Sunday via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, usually reserved for rain-affected matches.

Cricket Australia (CA) officials discussed the issue for more than 90 minutes following the match before ruling Victoria would be awarded a run-rate bonus point.

That verdict ended NSW's finals hopes and all but ensured Victoria will join Western Australia and South Australia in the finals.

The visitors reached 4-108 after 26 overs in their pursuit of 145 when umpires called the game off.

"That is a ridiculous decision and the umps should be held accountable," Cricket NSW chief executive Andrew Jones posted on Twitter.

"So pitch was safe when @CricketNSWBlues batted? Makes no sense. All officials involved should be fired immediately.

"It should be a No Result. Conditions didn't change all game so if it was dangerous for one side it was dangerous for the other."

The absurd finish, which came following a bouncer-laden over from Sean Abbott, was greeted by a chorus of boos from the crowd.

It is unclear if the venue will host Tuesday's fixture between Western Australia and the CA XI as planned.

CA will be desperate to avoid similar scenes in the inaugural women's day-night Test that is slated to be held at North Sydney next month.

Test pacemen Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who snared three wickets, Abbott, and Doug Bollinger all troubled batsmen with their bounce on the unsafe deck.

Earlier, schoolboy Will Sutherland helped Victoria skittle the one-day title holders for 144 in 42.2 overs.

The son of CA chief executive James Sutherland, who was touted as a first-round AFL draft pick before opting to focus on the summer sport this year, claimed figures of 4-11.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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