A rather interesting and rare incident took place at the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2024 season, when a ball was hit straight onto the roof of a cricket ground. The Docklands Stadium in Melbourne is mainly used for Australian rules football, but is also the home ground of BBL franchise Melbourne Renegades, making it one of the few cricket stadiums that have a roof at the top of the stadium. This caused one of the rarest moments in cricket, as the ball went straight up and smacked against the roof before coming down.

In a game between the Renegades and Perth Scorchers, batter Cooper Connolly hit a ball by former Australian bowler Kane Richardson high into the air. The ball travelled high enough to hit the roof, and came back down with tremendous speed, even causing a bit of discomfort to Richardson, who tried catching it.

Watch: Ball hits roof in BBL

BALL HIT ON THE ROOF IN BIG BASH. pic.twitter.com/RlS4qwq3u4

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 23, 2024

The incident caused the ball to be declared as a dead ball altogether due to a rule change in 2023. Earlier, such an incident would result in the batting side being given six runs. However, it also depends on the discretion of the umpire, who can award a six if he decides it’s a ball that would’ve clear the ropes.

Had there been no roof, the ball may have come down at a slower pace and made it an easier catch for Richardson.

Perth Scorchers, who were struggling at 45/4 in 9.4 overs at that stage, ended up posting a total of 143 in 20 overs. Connolly went from 12 off 22 balls to 66 off 50 balls, top-scoring for his side.

The total did not prove to be enough, as Melbourne Renegades chased it down with an over to spare

Both sides are batting for a place in the knockout stage of the tournament.

Cricket Australia on Friday unveiled the schedule for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League (BBL) with Perth Scorchers hosting Melbourne Stars in the tournament opener on December 15. Every club to play in front of home fans in bumper first eight days of men’s Big Bash League’s 14th edition. Reigning champions Brisbane Heat will cap off an epic opening eight days when they face Adelaide Strikers on December 22. Sydney Thunder will host two games in the opening week – Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17 before returning to their western suburbs base four days later for the first Saturday night clash of the season, a blockbuster Sydney Smash against the Sixers.

That match will form part of a Super Saturday double-header with Hobart Hurricanes to play their first home game of the season in a twilight fixture against the Scorchers at Blundstone Arena.

Australia’s men’s Test players will again be provided with an opportunity to suit up for their Big Bash teams with every club to play at least three regular season matches following the end of the fifth Border-Gavaskar Test on January 7.

Usman Khawaja (Heat), Nathan Lyon (Renegades) and Mitch Marsh (Scorchers) are currently the only Test regulars with BBL deals for the upcoming season but batters Travis Head, Alex Carey (both Strikers), Marnus Labuschagne (Heat) and Steve Smith (Sixers) have long affiliations with their clubs and all remain confident of securing their deals for the tournament.

Clubs can also sign a maximum of two Cricket Australia contracted players to a marquee supplementary list, like the Sixers and Thunder did with Mitchell Starc and Test skipper Pat Cummins, respectively, last season and bring them into their squad should they become available.

“This is a brilliant schedule for fans, with uninterrupted action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love,” said Alistair Dobson, CA’s general manager of Big Bash Leagues.

“We also can’t wait to welcome back members of the Australian Test team once again in January, taking advantage of a bigger window following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.”

The league’s finals series will follow the same four-game format as last season, beginning with the qualifier on January 21 and concluding with a final on January 27.

–IANS

ab/bc