The WBBL match between Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes was abandoned today at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide because a hole appeared on the pitch. The strange incident happened when a stray cricket ball was accidentally rolled onto the pitch by the heavy roller during the innings break. The roller pressed the ball into the surface, creating a deep hole that could not be repaired, forcing officials to call off the match.

According to WBBL rules, the pitch is rolled during the innings break. While the roller was moving, a ball from the teams’ warm-up went under it and got pushed into the pitch. The roller's weight left a ball-shaped hole in the surface.

The organisers later explained the incident, saying:

“The match between the Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes has been abandoned at Karen Rolton Oval. During the innings break, while both teams were warming up, a ball was accidentally rolled onto the pitch as the roller was being used. The ball went under the roller and created a hole in the pitch.”

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“As a result, the pitch conditions changed a lot. After talks between the match referee and the umpires, they decided it was not fair to expect the Hurricanes to bat on a pitch that was very different from the one the Strikers used. Both team captains were informed and agreed with the decision,” the Adelaide Strikers said in a statement on Instagram.

The match between the Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes has been abandoned.

During the innings break at KRO, a ball was inadvertently rolled onto the pitch while the roller was being used.

The ball went beneath the roller creating a hole in the pitch. (1/2) #WBBL11 pic.twitter.com/jxTxOZC6L3

— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) December 5, 2025

What happened in the match?

In the match, the Strikers scored 167 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs after losing the toss. Madeline Penna scored an unbeaten 63 while opening the innings. Bridget Patterson played a quick cameo, scoring 24 runs from just 12 balls. Nat Sciver-Brunt bowled well for the Hurricanes, giving away only 22 runs and taking one wicket in her four overs.

India’s middle-order batter, Jemimah Rodrigues, will not return to Australia for the rest of the 2025 season of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Her franchise, Brisbane Heat, has agreed to the request and gave her permission to stay back in India in the tough times of her national team-mate, Smriti Mandhana, whose wedding has been postponed due to various reasons.

Rodrigues had returned home after playing three games for the Heat, the last of which was against the Hobart Hurricanes on November 15, as part of their pre-arranged commitment. She was set to be part of Indian opening batter, Smriti Mandhana’s wedding last weekend. But the event was delayed at the last minute because of her father’s health issue on the wedding day.  

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“It has obviously been a challenging time for Jemi, so while it is unfortunate that she will take no further part in the WBBL, we were more than willing to agree to her request to remain in India. The Heat club obviously wishes her and Smriti Mandhana's family all the best for the future.” The Brisbane Heat dropped the official statement.

Jemimah Rodrigues to stay back in India to support Smriti Mandhana in tough times

Rodrigues, who scored only 37 runs in three outings for the Heat at an average of 12.33 and a strike rate of 102.77, helped India qualify for the final of the recently concluded Women’s World Cup 2025 against Australia, where the 25-year-old contributed with a famous unbeaten half-century to clinch the game.

“Jemi told us she was disappointed not to be coming back and has passed on her appreciation to the club and the Heat fans for being so understanding of the circumstances. She has been in touch with the players and wishes them all the best for the rest of their games.” Heat addressed in the statement.

Heat will be bolstered with the comeback of all-rounder Grace Harris for the match against the Sydney Sixers on November 28. She will replace seamers Lily Bassingthwaighte after she missed the last game as part of her workload management plan. The Heat continues to search for its first win, having lost all six of its games so far.

Brisbane Heat Women (BH W) will take on Sydney Thunder Women (ST W) in Match 18 of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025 at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, on Friday, November 21. The two teams last met at this very venue in last year’s Challenger, where Brisbane dominated with a nine-wicket win. However, both sides have struggled to find consistency this season, making this fixture crucial as they look to regain momentum and climb the points table. 

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Jess Jonassen’s Brisbane side have endured a tough campaign so far, losing all three of their matches and searching desperately for their first win. Meanwhile, Phoebe Litchfield’s Sydney Thunder have had a slightly better run, registering one win from four games. After a three-match losing streak, Sydney managed to turn things around in their most recent outing, defeating the Perth Scorchers by nine wickets. Both teams will now aim to build on this match to stabilise their season.

BH W vs ST W: Live Streaming Details

BH W vs ST W: Probable Playing XI

Brisbane Heat Women (BH W):

Grace Harris, Charli Knott, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen (C), Chinelle Henry, Nadine de Klerk, Georgia Redmayne (WK), Nicola Hancock, Mikayla Wrigley, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton.

Sydney Thunder Women (ST W):

Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson (WK), Phoebe Litchfield (C), Heather Knight, Chamari Athapaththu, Anika Learoyd, Laura Harris, Lucy Finn, Taneale Peschel, Shabnim Ismail, Samantha Bates.