Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that seven Big Bash League games have been relocated from Sydney and Melbourne due to the state border closures and its subsequent impacts. Five games that were set to take place in Sydney will take place at Melbourne or Adelaide. Three games in Sydney were moved to Canberra last week.
Adelaide Oval will now host the match between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunders on January 22, while Sixers’ clash against Hobart Hurricanes has been moved to the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Melbourne Renegades will face Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval on Thursday after CA failed to get clearance for the Brisbane Heat squad to enter the state of Victoria.
According to the current border restrictions, anyone arriving in Victoria who has been in Greater Brisbane since January 2 – which also includes the Brisbane Heat players and staff – are required to quarantine for 14 days.
Alistair Dobson, CA’s Head of Big Bash Leagues said, “The venue change will create certainty that this fixture can be delivered, however the match will be played behind closed doors. Unfortunately, given the operational difficulties in providing a safe and secure environment for fans to attend at such short notice, including the ACT Government’s requirement that all tickets go off sale 24 hours prior to the match, tickets to this match will not be available to the public.”
BBL|10 schedule changes (all times local)
Jan 14: Renegades v Heat, moved from Marvel Stadium to Manuka Oval, 7.15pm
Jan 21: Strikers v Heat, moved from MCG to Adelaide Oval, 6:45pm
Jan 22: Sixers v Thunder, moved from SCG to Adelaide Oval, 6:45pm
Jan 24: Thunder v Strikers, moved from Sydney Showgrounds to Adelaide Oval, 3:35pm
Jan 24: Sixers v Hurricanes, moved from SCG to MCG, 7:15pm
Jan 25: Strikers v Thunder, moved from Sydney Showgrounds to Adelaide Oval, 6:45pm
Jan 26: Heat v Scorchers, moved from SCG to TBC, 1:05pm