Pakistan’s preparations for the three-Test series starting December 14 were cut short after an electrical storm on December 8 night. Winds bowling at 55km/h blew off the protective covers over the pitch and rain made the conditions unplayable. The Day 4 of the warm-up game against Prime Ministers XI was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Manuka Oval, Canberra. The game ended in a draw.
However, the main reason why an attempt to make the conditions playable was not made is because of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 clash. Umpire Donovan Koch said that the alternate strip is expected to be used for the BBL match between Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat on December 12 evening.
"The pitch ... is wet, the surrounding is wet and our main concern is actually the BBL pitch, it's two strips down from the playing pitch where there's a game on Tuesday night," Koch told Fox Cricket.
"We're going to take a cautious approach, we've got a Test team that we don't want to cause any injuries to, and we've got a few BBL players in the (PM's XI) team as well."
Even if the game resumed on Day 4, it would have ended in a draw. Matt Renshaw missed out on an opportunity to score a double century. Renshaw remained unbeaten for 136 off 337 balls. The hosts had 367/4 on the board at the end of Day 3, trailing by 24 runs. Renshaw is touted as Warner’s successor as he will retire after the three-Test series against Shan Masood-led side.
Earlier, Masood scored an unbeaten 201 as Pakistan posted 391/9 on the board. Jordan Buckingham was the pick of the bowlers with a fifer to his name. Apart from Masood, no Pakistan batter could score a half-century.
Meanwhile, Pakistan have been dealt a major blow before flying to Perth for the series opener. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed complained of discomfort in his right leg. He is likely to miss the first Test. Pakistan only have one more speciallist spinner in the squad, left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
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