WATCH: BBL 2025 Knockout match halted due to lightning during Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars

The thrill of Australia's premier T20 cricket competition, Big Bash League (BBL 2024-25) continues with the knockout match being played between Sydney Thunder (THU) and Melbourne Stars (STA) in Sydney. However, so far in the tournament, several unusual incidents marred the smooth hosting of the matches. After a recent fire incident at the DJ booth and a part of the roof collapse, a new unusual incident forced the officials to halt the match.

Notably, the incident took place after 3.3 overs were bowled during Sydney Thunder's batting. After losing their Captain David Warner early on for a duck, Hugh Weibgen and Matthew Gilkes got together to build a partnership. However, amid rain threats, this time a bolt of lightning forced the official to halt the knockout blockbuster. Confirming the same, the former Australia legend Ricky Ponting while commentating on air, revealed that the game was stopped due to the lightning factor and not rain or bad light scenarios.

However, soon after an update arrived that the match would resume again after a while as the situation seemed to be under control to continue the BBL fixture ahead.

Check out the viral BBL knockout stoppage moment here:

We'll resume play at 8:06PM AEDT after some lightning 8.2 kilometres away from the Sydney Showgrounds.

As @JaseRicho explains, the local rules prohibit sport being played when there's lighting within a ten kilometre radius of the ground.#BBL14 pic.twitter.com/jkoQfA5VIl

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 22, 2025

Sydney law led to stoppage of BBL 2025 knockout game

Interestingly, television personality Jason Richard, during the break shared with the audience that due to local rules of Sydney, which prohibits any sport from being conducted if there was a lightning situation within a radius of 10 kilometres of the concerned venue.

Also Check: BBL 2025, Match 36: Fire breaks out during Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes, game interrupted

As per weather updates, it was informed by the match officials that the lightning currently was within a range between 8-9 kilometres and hence waiting for it to subside was the only solution at the moment.