Babar Azam & co at Sydney Sixers were given phone access after Bondi beach mass shooting

Perth Scorchers beat Sydney Sixers in the opening match of the new Big Bash League (BBL) 2025/26 season.

It is not a norm that a cricket association allows players to access their mobile phones just before the commencement of a match. However, an exception was made after the gut-wrenching news came out about the Bondi Beach incident. Cricket Australia (CA) allowed the Sydney Sixers players to check upon their family and friends after two gunmen opened fire at the beach on December 14, the opening day of the new season of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Horrifying news for Sydney

Sydney Sixers started BBL 15 with their trip to the Perth Stadium, with Perth Scorchers winning the truncated game by five wickets. The match started 80 minutes late after rain delays. However, going against Cricket Australia’s strict anti-corruption rules, which force players to surrender their phones after reaching the venue, players were allowed to use their phones in the wake of the tragic incident.

The gunmen, who were a father-and-son duo, reportedly killed 16 people, with Sydney police taking one man into custody while the other was killed. It was a shocking moment for Australia and the players mourned as well, with Sixers pace bowler Charlie Stobo saying that his heart went out for the people in Sydney. “We are wishing everyone affected speedy recoveries and all the best,” Stobo said. “We had our phones locked away and we were allowed to use them to just sort of check in with family and friends. It’s all happened pretty quickly.”

Cooper Connolly proved to be the player of the match for his 31-ball 59 in a run-chase of 114 after the match was reduced to an 11-over-per-side affair. Perth Scorchers won the game by 5 wickets and as many balls in hand.