Fans at Optus Stadium endured a frustrating wait of more than an hour to get to their seats for Perth Scorchers’ Big Bash League opener due to a wild burst of weather which brought lightning within close proximity to the venue.

Exactly an hour before the first ball of the clash between the Scorchers and Sydney Sixers was set to be bowled, a message was shown on the venue’s screen and played over the PA system telling attendees to seek cover.

“Due to approaching lightning, and in the interest of safety, it is necessary to evacuate the seating bowl,” the message read.

“Please follow directions from stadium staff and seek shelter.”

The delay saw the game’s starting time pushed back by more than an hour and the contest reduced to 11 overs a side, with the bat flip eventually scheduled for 5.15pm and the first ball to be bowled at 5.35pm.

Rain began to tumble down at the venue at 3.40pm, with flashes of lightning seen and the sound of thunder heard shortly after.

The rain grew significantly heavier as 4pm drew closer, with significant amounts of water beginning to pool around the covers, before easing off shortly after the scheduled start time of 4.15pm, though thunder was still audible.

Ground staff were given permission to return to the middle at 4.30pm, which prompted eager fans to flood back to their seats from the concourse, despite the shelter advice officially remaining in place.

The Scorchers’ players finally returned to the middle to conduct their warm-ups shortly before 5pm to the delight of the home fans.

Significant work has been undertaken in order to make the surface playable, with water which had pooled around the start of the covers draining away after the rain dissipated.

Cricket Australia’s storm policy states players should not return to the field until 30 minutes after the last lightning strikes within 10km of the venue, leading to the start of the game being delayed.

Scorchers captain Mitch Marsh could see the funny side of the delay.

“We could be in Melbourne here, couldn’t we?” Marsh joked with Fox Cricket.

“It’s been a beautiful couple of days, very hot, so this is pretty weird. I certainly wasn’t expecting this today.

“A bit of patience required and we’ll be out there soon, hopefully.”

Players were going through their warm-ups and media had assembled on the ground at the time but slowly filtered off after hearing the news of lightning in the area.

WA Cricket’s ground staff remained on the job as all others sought cover, putting the full covers on the pitch.

The hessian cover had been on the pitch for much of the build-up to the game but no rain was seen at Optus Stadium in the hours before the game.

On a scorching Sunday, the mercury read 38C as the shelter notice rang out, with a max of 40C forecast for the day.

Ahead of the first Test of The Ashes at Optus Stadium in November, Australia’s players and coaches were forced to take cover due to lightning being seen in the vicinity of the venue.

A One Day International between Australia and India at the venue in October was also shortened due to rain, though players were able to return to the field and allow the hosts to claim a seven-wicket victory.