MELBOURNE: This weekend’s WBBL matches will proceed as scheduled after fruitful negotiations between Cricket Australia and the Tasmanian government, with Hobart in the grip of a COVID-related snap three-day lockdown.
Four Weber WBBL|07 games are scheduled to be played at Blundstone Arena across Saturday and Sunday, and while all will go ahead, no crowds will be allowed to attend.
Southern Tasmania was thrown into the snap lockdown from 6pm on Friday after a COVID-positive man who had entered the state from New South Wales escaped hotel quarantine in Hobart and was later located at a residence in the city’s northern suburbs.
Seven of the eight WBBL clubs are already in Tasmania. The Perth Scorchers were due to fly in on Friday ahead of their first match against the Brisbane Heat on Sunday, but delayed those travel plans, and will now fly in on Saturday afternoon.
CA’s head of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson, said: “The league and all eight clubs are incredibly thankful to the Tasmanian Government for allowing the Weber WBBL to safely continue in Hobart this weekend.
“We’d also like to express our gratitude to players and staff from all clubs, plus match officials, broadcast partners and venue staff for their understanding as we worked through the final details with the Tasmanian Government.
“The experience gained from last summer means all involved in the Weber WBBL are well prepared to do whatever necessary to conduct a safe and successful competition this year.”
The first 24 matches of WBBL|07 are scheduled to be played on the island state, with games split between Hobart and Launceston, before the competition is due to move to Western Australia, South Australia and northern Queensland.
