Persistent rain at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) spoiled Steven Smith’s much-anticipated return to the Big Bash League, with only five overs possible before Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes were forced to settle for a no result on Sunday afternoon. What was billed as a marquee clash quickly turned into a frustrating stop-start affair, eventually abandoned after hours of waiting.
Smith, opening the batting for the Sixers, showed brief flashes of his class during his short stay at the crease. He struck a pull shot for six and followed it up with a crisp boundary through square leg, racing to 19 not out from 16 balls, while partner Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 9. Smith also enjoyed a slice of luck on 15, when he miscued a delivery from Beau Webster, only for Mitchell Owen to fall short running in from the boundary.
Rain arrived shortly, with covers brought on almost immediately, and despite hopes of a restart, play was officially abandoned. The washout compounded Cricket Australia’s frustrations after weather disruptions earlier in the summer, with refunds required once again due to the match failing to pass the six-over threshold.
At the time of abandonment, Sydney Sixers were 32 without loss, having lost the toss and been sent in to bat. Smith, fresh from a Test century at the same venue in the Ashes finale, is available for the remainder of the BBL season and will be keen to make a bigger impact in upcoming fixtures.
For the defending champions Hobart Hurricanes, the shared point could prove costly. Leaders of the table heading into the match, they missed the chance to lock in top spot and now risk being overtaken if they lose their final league game to Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars win their remaining two matches.
The Sixers, meanwhile, remain firmly in the finals race and will be boosted by the return of Mitchell Starc, who is set to play his first BBL match since 2014 when Sixers face Sydney Thunder on Friday night. While rain stole the spotlight at the SCG, anticipation remains high for what lies ahead in the business end of the tournament.
