Shocking! Sydney Thunder denied win as umpires stop match 3 runs short; Phoebe Litchfield explodes

Sydney Thunder were cruising towards a win, needing only three more runs, but their WBBL match against Adelaide Strikers ended in dramatic and controversial circumstances. Rain forced the umpires to abandon the game, a call that left Phoebe Litchfield visibly furious and sparked a massive outrage from fans.

The WBBL 2025 match was already reduced to five overs due to the weather on Friday, November 28. Sydney Thunder were in a comfortable position to chase down a 46-run target and were just one hit away from winning. However, as the rain intensified in Adelaide, the officials chose to abandon the contest.

I’m a Bit Disappointed, It’s a Shame - Phoebe Litchfield

Sydney Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield scored an unbeaten 38 from just 15 balls. Although the umpires initially tried to push through the rain, they eventually ruled that the worsening conditions made the surface unsafe.

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The abandonment also denied Thunder crucial points, leaving them three behind fourth place ahead of the upcoming Sydney derby. Litchfield expressed her frustration, calling the abrupt finish disheartening. She noted that both teams were desperate for a win.

“I’m a bit disappointed. It’s a shame. The fact that we got on and it was a really entertaining game…it’s pretty disappointing that we didn’t have a full game," Litchfield told Channel Seven after the game.

“Both the Strikers and us needed a win so we were pretty keen to get the two points (when we discussed the weather before the game). The ground staff did an amazing job to get the ground up and running. For all that work, it’s disappointing to not get a result. It’s cricket at the end of the day. It’s a weird game we play."

You’ve Got To Be Joking - This Is Farcical, Say Commentators

The commentary team was also shocked when the umpires decided to abandon the match. Katey Martin could not believe the call, while Alister Nicholson labelled the situation embarrassing and described the decision as farcical.

“Surely not ... you’ve got to be joking,” Katey Martin said.

Alister Nicholson said, “No, no, this is farcical. That is an utter embarrassment that’s taken place here. There is not a drop of rain at the moment. That game was within a whisker of being determined, the result was completely clear, and the Sydney Thunder have been robbed of victory.”

Nooooo way!

In a five-over game, the Thunder needed three more runs to win off 13 balls...

And umpires call for the covers with rain no heavier than it had been in the previous 15 minutes, per @TheoDrop.

Game called off, no result 🫣#WBBL11 pic.twitter.com/b24oi9XmsF

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 28, 2025

Adelaide Strikers Women Ahead Of Sydney Thunder Women In WBBL Standings

Rain delayed the start and forced officials to reduce the contest to five overs per side. After Phoebe Litchfield chose to bowl first, Adelaide reached 45, led by Laura Wolvaardt’s quick 22, while Sydney’s bowlers Shabnim Ismail and Chamari Athapaththu kept things tight.

Litchfield then blasted boundaries in a 43-run opening stand with Georgia Voll. But with only three runs needed and more than two overs remaining, the rain returned, and play was stopped.

Both sides walked away with a point after the washout. Sydney Thunder now have five points from seven matches, with three league games left, while Adelaide Strikers sit just above them on six points from the same number of outings.

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