Thunder chase points for power failure

Sydney Thunder have asked Cricket Australia to hand them two competition points after last's night KFC BBL match against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba was abandoned due to a power failure. 

The points were split evenly between Sydney and Brisbane on Thursday night after the match was three overs into the Heat's run chase when a power grid failure in east Brisbane knocked out two floodlights and a quarter of the Gabba's supplementary lighting. 

Set 187 to win after Shane Watson's brilliant century, the Heat were 2-10 with skipper Chris Lynn and international recruit Brendon McCullum dismissed.

The result left the Thunder fuming, who were prepared to bowl their spinners to restart the game, only for the hosts to decline the offer and side with the umpires who deemed it unsafe for the spectators. 

Thunder chief executive Lee Germon confirmed on Friday the club had spoken to CA and asked for the full points to be handed to his side, saying it is the venue's responsibility to provide sufficient lighting for the match. 

"We are obviously disappointed that last night’s game was abandoned, especially after Shane Watson’s brilliant innings which has now been overshadowed," Germon said in a statement. 

"With a large crowd at The Gabba and our fans watching at home we felt it was important to complete the game and to do so we offered to only bowl our spinners.

"We believe the match officials were incorrect in giving teams the option to play and feel the match should have continued as we believe the conditions were safe.

"We believe that the venue has the responsibility to provide floodlighting for the match, including the provision of a back-up power source. We have therefore asked Cricket Australia to award Sydney Thunder the two points for a win.

"Our attention now turns to our WBBL semi-final tomorrow at Drummoyne Oval and playing in front of our fantastic supporters on Tuesday night at Spotless Stadium."

A CA spokesperson said on Friday: "We have received Sydney Thunder's correspondence and will review and reply in due course."

The Thunder sit in third spot on the BBL ladder with nine points, while the Heat are in sixth on seven points, one point out of the top four. 

In November 2015, Victoria were handed six points for a win after their JLT Sheffield Shield clash at the SCG was abandoned due to unsafe conditions.

CA announced today that patrons who attended last night's clash will be offered free entry to next week's first Domain Test against Sri Lanka.

CA and Queensland Cricket confirmed ticket holders will be offered complimentary entry to one day's play of the Gabba Test.

Head of Fan Engagement Anthony Everard said CA was investigating the causes of the light failures and revealed fans who attended the BBL game would be offered free tickets to the Australia-Sri Lanka series opener.

The first Test, a day-night game to be played with a pink ball, begins Thursday at the Gabba.

"Last night's match was unable to be completed due to an external power issue that was outside the control of the Brisbane Heat and Cricket Australia," said Everard."We are now working with Stadiums Queensland to investigate why this occurred, and to ensure there will be no further issues at future matches.

"Under Cricket Australia's established terms and conditions, the 23 overs of play including the full innings of the Thunder meant that refunds are not applicable in this instance.

"However, the Heat and Cricket Australia would like to extend an offer to fans to attend next week's day-night First Domain Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Gabba for free."