WATCH: Lightning halted BBL 2025 knockout match in Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars

Sydney Thunder (THU) vs. Melbourne Stars (STA) in the knockout round of Australia’s top T20 cricket league, the Big Bash League (BBL 2024–25), is still exciting. However, a number of odd occurrences have tainted the tournament’s seamless match hosting thus far. The match had to be stopped by officials due to a fresh, unique event after the DJ booth caught fire and part of the ceiling collapsed.

The occurrence occurred after 3.3 overs were bowled during the Sydney Thunder’s batting innings, which is noteworthy. They formed a partnership with Hugh Weibgen after losing their captain, David Warner, to a duck early on. However, a lightning strike this time compelled the official to stop the knockout blockbuster due to the possibility of rain. Former Australia great Ricky Ponting confirmed this during an on-air commentary, saying that lightning, not rain or poor lighting conditions, was the reason the game was interrupted.

A brief update, however, stated that the game would resume after some time because everything appeared to be under control and the BBL match could go.

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

Due to Sydney law, the BBL 2025 knockout game was halted.

It’s interesting to note that during the break, television personality Jason Richard informed the viewers that, according to Sydney local regulations, no sport may be played if there is lightning within ten kilometers of the scene.

According to weather reports, match authorities announced that the lightning was currently within an 8–9 kilometer radius, meaning that the only course of action was to wait for it to pass.