AusLeisure

The Big Bash League clash between the Thunder and Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground was halted yesterday evening when a piece of the roofing fell from the venue’s Bill O'Reilly Stand.

With storm conditions and high winds impacting Sydney, security guards were called to evacuate fans from two bays as a piece of the roofing began to detach.

The sold out BBL cross-city fixture had been subject to delays as a result of heavy winds and rain before play was eventually halted.

Fans were evacuated from a bay at the northern end of the Bill O'Reilly Stand about 6:30pm AEDT on Friday night when the vinyl soffit sheeting began to flap precariously directly above.

The sheeting fell from the underside of the stand but did not hit anyone, with applause ringing out from those who had remained nearby.

Afterwards, the seating bays in the vicinity remained empty as security kept watch on the area, which was cordoned off with tape.

In a statement, Venues NSW advised “two seating bays have been cleared and patrons have been provided seating in another grandstand.

"As per standard processes, pre-event inspections had taken place across the venue before gates opened. Further inspections are underway. The safety of our patrons remains our number one priority."

Fierce winds and rain forced two delays in the 45 minutes after the first ball was bowled.

Ground staff were seen struggling in the winds as they attempted to pull the covers on during the first rain delay.

The Thunder managed 1-35 from 5.1 overs before an official decision to abandon the match.

BBL clash at the Gabba halted due to fire
At the Gabba, an electrical fire forced the game between the Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes to be temporarily stopped.

Images: Roofing material descends to the Bill O'Reilly Stand during last night's Big Bash League clash at the SCG (top) and the sheet detaching from the roof of the stand (below). Credit: X.

Related Articles

17th January 2025 - ‘Miserable weather’ impacts guest numbers at Hastings Splash Planet

10th November 2024 - Three appointments made to Venues NSW board

6th June 2024 - Albury Entertainment Centre Banquet Hall closed after ceiling collapse

16th April 2024 - Quayclean secures cleaning contracts at four Venues NSW facilities

30th January 2024 - New appointees endorsed for Venues NSW Board

17th January 2024 - NSW Government announces raising of concert cap for Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and SCG

16th January 2024 - Weather impacts maintenance schedules for parks and sportsgrounds in Blue Mountains

3rd January 2024 - Wild weather events impact Queensland tourism

11th November 2023 - Venues NSW explains change of management arrangements at Sydney’s Accor and CommBank Stadiums

9th November 2023 - Venues NSW announces Gema Group as new catering contractor at Sydney’s Accor and CommBank Stadium

26th October 2023 - American Express and Venues NSW partnership sees launch of new hospitality options at Allianz Stadium

11th October 2023 - Partnership between Centara and SCG Energy paves the way for ‘Smart Hotels’ across Thailand

15th August 2023 - David Gallop named new Venues NSW Chair after Morris Iemma steps down

7th February 2023 - ADCO Constructions begins demolition of collapsed roof at Kew Recreation Centre

7th August 2022 - Railing collapse at Leichhardt Oval during schoolboy rugby match raises safety concerns

18th July 2022 - Rugby Australia condemns deplorable crowd incidents at SCG

8th July 2022 - Venues NSW seeks approval for concerts at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium

30th June 2022 - Grandstand collapses at cricket stadium during Sri Lanka v Australia Test

19th November 2021 - Merivale to deliver hospitality services for SCG and new Sydney Football Stadium

23rd October 2013 - High winds rip roofing materials from Adelaide Oval

21st September 2011 - High winds damage WIN Stadium’s roof

10th June 2011 - Invercargill City Council sued over Stadium Southland collapse

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.