Fans at Optus Stadium faced a challenging delay exceeding an hour to reach their seats for the Perth Scorchers’ Big Bash League opener against the Sydney Sixers due to a sudden storm, which resulted in nearby lightning. An announcement was made an hour prior to the scheduled start of the game, advising attendees to seek shelter for their safety.
The message displayed on the venue’s screens emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Due to approaching lightning, and in the interest of safety, it is necessary to evacuate the seating bowl.” As heavy rain began around 3:40 PM, fans found themselves racing for cover as the storm intensified, causing significant water pooling around the pitch.
As a result of the weather conditions, the game was postponed for more than an hour, with the match being reduced to 11 overs per side. The bat flip was eventually set for 5:15 PM, with the first ball bowled at 5:35 PM.
The stadium staff worked diligently to ensure that the ground was playable, allowing the players to warm up shortly before 5 PM, much to the delight of the returning fans. Cricket Australia’s storm policy dictates that players cannot enter the field until 30 minutes after the last strike of lightning within a 10-kilometer radius, which justified the delay.
Scorchers captain Mitch Marsh lightened the mood by joking about the weather, saying, “We could be in Melbourne here, couldn’t we? It’s been a beautiful couple of days, very hot, so this is pretty weird. I certainly wasn’t expecting this today. A bit of patience required and we’ll be out there soon, hopefully.”
Previous events at Optus Stadium have also experienced weather-related delays, including a One Day International between Australia and India, which had to be shortened due to rain. However, this could not overshadow the excitement generated by the season opener and the resilience of both the stadium staff and fans.
Despite the initial setbacks, the day still highlighted Perth’s unpredictable weather, alongside the excitement of a new cricket season, reminding fans to stay prepared for the unexpected.