The Big Bash League (BBL) administration on Saturday (January 8) confirmed the rescheduling of the 2020-21 season after the latest outbreak of Covid-19. All the players, staff and officials will now be based in Victoria for the remainder of the competition to ensure the safety of all those associated with the league.
Strict bio-security bubbles will be implemented to carry the smooth and efficient functioning of the Big Bash League and in order to avoid any sort of wider community contacts. The newly implemented schedule is adjusted for the current week of January 10 to January 16.
Official statement
“The past week has thrown many COVID-related challenges the Big Bash's way, but throughout we have remained steadfast in our resolve to safely and successfully complete the season. These changes are designed to help the League and Clubs deliver on this, while also reducing risks to players, support staff, and the matches themselves. Having our players based in one state provides significantly greater flexibility to manage any further impacts of COVID-19," Cricket Australia's (CA) General Manager of the BBL, Alistair Dobson said.
The rescheduled matches will be played at GMBHA stadium and Marvel stadium in Melbourne. The former ground is known to serve as the home ground of the Australian football team Western United, which take part in the top tier of the A-League. As of now, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will also serve as one of the venues for the BBL.
The city of Melbourne is expected to remain as a busy place for the upcoming period of time as the Australian Open is also scheduled to start on January 17.
Rearranged Schedule for the BBL (January 10-16)
Eleven matches will take place in seven days.
Matches at six venues
Adelaide Oval, Gabba, GMHBA Stadium, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Marvel Stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground.
The postponed match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars will be played on January 11 instead of December 30.
The Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars match has been postponed from December 7 to January 15.
Three doubleheaders will be played in Victoria - January 10 (MCG), 11 (GMHBA Stadium), and 13 (Marvel Stadium).
Two additional double-header match days across two venues will be staged on January 8 (as previously scheduled) and January 15.
