A number of sporting events recently scheduled for the ACT have been forced to postpone, cancel or relocate due to the poor air quality across the region from bushfire smoke.
Last month, umpires at the Big Bash League game at Manuka Oval on 21 December deemed conditions too hazardous for the players and spectators to continue, cancelling the Adelaide Strikers versus Sydney Thunder match during the second innings before a result could be determined. The Thunder had faced 4.2 overs in their innings and were only 4 deliveries away from victory as they were well ahead on the Duckworth Lewis system.
On Friday 3 January, Tennis ACT announced the decision to relocate the Apis Canberra International, scheduled for 6-12 January, to Bendigo, Victoria due to the ongoing bushfire activity in the region.
Also on 3 January, Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced that the W-League fixture between Canberra United and Sydney FC and the Y-League fixture between Canberra United and the Newcastle Jets on Sunday 5 January would be postponed. An announcement on when these matches will be rescheduled is to be made at a later date.
The Canberra Cavalry’s round seven Australian Baseball League (ABL) series against Adelaide scheduled for 2-5 January was cancelled, again due to poor air quality, with the ABL to outline the impact of the cancelled series on the playoffs and roster points. The Canberra Cavalry hosted a “live stream-a-thon” via their Facebook page on 3 January to raise funds for the NSW Rural Fire Service.
The WNBL cancelled the Round 12 match between the UC Capitals and Perth Lynx, due to be played on Sunday 5 January at the AIS Arena in Canberra. Further discussions between the WNBL and respective teams will determine a solution on the most fair and equitable date to replay the game if both the teams and the league feel it necessary.
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