Wild Weather Sends Hurricanes and Sixers to BBL Qualifier

Wild Weather Sends Hurricanes and Sixers to BBL Qualifier

BBL Qualifier: The remaining five teams are all mathematical chances to finish fourth and face Thunder. Strong winds caused chaos at the SCG, ripping off part of the roof and stopping the setup of decision review technology. This wild weather secured the Hobart Hurricanes’ spot at the top of the BBL points table.

The Sydney Sixers ended up second after the match was abandoned. Theyโ€™ll now face the Hurricanes in the Qualifier. Meanwhile, the Sydney Thunder will host the Knockout final at ENGIE Stadium on Wednesday, though the fourth team in the playoffs hasnโ€™t been decided yet.

Before the Sixers and Thunder match on Friday night, security guards had to evacuate fans from two sections of the Bill O’Reilly Stand. This happened when a piece of roofing started flapping wildly in the wind. Luckily, no one was hurt when it fell at 6:30 PM, but the area stayed closed off, and fans were moved to other seats.

The wind was so strong before the game that important technology like ball-tracking and ultra-edge couldnโ€™t be set up properly.

Thunder and Sixers Face Challenges

David Warner gave the Thunder a solid start after they lost the toss. However, Test opener Sam Konstas was dismissed by a brilliant yorker from Jack Edwards.

Rain interrupted the game twice. The second delay, starting at 7:55 PM, lasted 90 minutes and eventually led to the match being abandoned. The Thunder finished at 36 for 1 after just 5.1 overs, leaving fans disappointed.

The Sixers needed to beat the Thunder to claim the top spot on the ladder but had to settle for second place after both teams got one point for the washout.

“Weโ€™ve been in this position before where weโ€™ve had to travel for a qualifier. The team is excited about the opportunity in Hobart,” said Sixers batter Jordan Silk.

Tight Race for the Fourth Playoff Spot

Five teams are still in the running for the fourth spot on the ladder. The Melbourne Stars, currently fourth, are in the best position. If they beat the Hurricanes on Sunday, theyโ€™ll return to the finals for the first time since 2019-20, thanks to a five-game winning streak.

The Hurricanes, on the other hand, are chasing history. Theyโ€™ve only finished first at the end of the regular season once in 13 BBL editions. Theyโ€™ve also never won a title, just like the Stars. However, if they beat the Sixers on Tuesday, theyโ€™ll host Hobartโ€™s first-ever BBL grand final, where they remain unbeaten this season.

Rain Spoils Steven Smithโ€™s Farewell

Fridayโ€™s game was supposed to be Steven Smithโ€™s last innings before he and Sam Konstas leave for Australiaโ€™s Test tour of Sri Lanka this weekend.

Smith made an impressive save at the boundary, stopping a Warner shot from becoming a six, but the rain robbed him of a chance to bat.

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