Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria have all been confirmed as venues to host the Big Bash League matches in January, 2021, Cricket Australia announced. The hosting of the matches will be “subject to the public health situation and associated impacts including border restrictions.”
Five matches will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth, with the first to be held on Sunday, January 3. Four of these matches will be Perth Scorchers home games, ensuring fans in WA get to experience first-hand elite cricket this season.
From January 13, the BBL will travel to Sydney and Melbourne for the run to the finals. Eight matches will be played in Sydney, with the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Showground Stadium to host four each.
Melbourne-based BBL fans will be rewarded for their perseverance through a tough year with 11 matches in January 2021. Five of these will be held at Marvel Stadium, with six at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The final day of the regular season will be played on January 26 and feature a triple-header split between the SCG (one match) and MCG (two matches).
The five-match finals series begins on Friday, January 29. The Final has been slated for Saturday, February 6.
Additional matches have also been confirmed for the Adelaide Oval (three), the Gabba (two), Metricon Stadium (four) and Blundstone Arena (two) in early January.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Head of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“The League is delighted to confirm the boldest schedule in Australian sport since the pandemic began by committing to take matches to every club’s home market in KFC BBL|10.
“This schedule is a testament to the strength of the League and ensures our fans around the country will get the chance to see their KFC BBL Clubs in action on home soil.
“We’d like to thank all federal, state and territory governments, our KFC BBL clubs, state and territory associations, the players and Australian Cricketers’ Association, broadcasters Seven, Foxtel, Kayo, SEN and commercial partners KFC, BKT, Toyota and Sanitarium for their support as we deliver a safe and successful competition for our fans across the country.”
The Hon. Mick Murray MLA, Western Australian Minister for Sport and Recreation, said:
“Western Australia has the best cricket fans and the best cricket stadium in the nation – so it is fitting that some of the best cricket talent in Australia will be headed to Optus Stadium this summer.
“It is exciting that the Perth Scorchers will have the opportunity to play four matches before a home crowd during this summer of cricket.
“This is a fantastic outcome for the State – and I thank the WACA, VenuesWest, Cricket Australia, the Chief Health Officer and the Police Commissioner for their work in securing these five games for WA.”
CA has for the time being held off selling tickets for the December games at Adelaide Oval owing to the rising COVID10 infections in the state. "The League is monitoring the situation in South Australia closely and is working with governments to understand its impact on the BBL|10 season," an official release said. "Information regarding tickets for remaining matches will be made available in due course."