9:27 pm It's official. Match has been called off so the teams will split points. Frustrating news for cricket fans, but hardly anyone in the eastern states will be complaining about desperately needed rain coming down in the context of recent events. Come back tomorrow for more BBL coverage. For Andrew McGlashan at the SCG, I'm Peter Della Penna. Take care!

9:15 pm Gnasher says in order for there to be a five-over chase, play must restart by 9:49 pm local time. That's just over 30 minutes away and it may take that long to get the ground cleared and ready. So an abandonment feels imminent.

9:00 pm Update from the SCG: "Still very wet," says Gnasher. Restart looking very outlandish at the moment.

8:05 pm Our fearless leader at the SCG, Andrew McGlashan, has spoken: "Pretty steady rain here and though the radar suggests the band is narrowing a little it will take a while to cross. We have though had enough overs in the first innings where we need just five in the second for a match."

Santosh Badal: "Why is there no updates on Rain after stoppage?" Because it's still raining!

7:40 pm And the rain has finally gotten thick enough to force the players off. Covers being rushed on now.