Played entirely in Sydney last year due to hurdles amid COVID-19 pandemic, Cricket Australia is set to organise this year’s Women’s Big Bash League on normal lines in a “national, festival-based” format.
Unlike a Sydney-based event last summer, the WBBL will have its 59 matches played across all six states again, including games in metro and regional areas.
The encounter between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars at the North Sydney Oval will kick off the WBBL 07 on October 14 – only two days after Australia women’s final T20I against visitors India. The final of the tournament is scheduled for November 27.
To limit travelling and ensure the health safety of everyone involved, the WBBL 07 will follow a caravan system. The tournament will be played in Sydney in the first week at two venues – North Sydney Oval and Blacktown International Sportspark – before moving across the other states in the country.
Notably, the Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast will be hosting the WBBL matches for the first time in the league’s history as a home base for Brisbane Heat, who have their regular home ground, The Allan Border Field going through redevelopment.
“Like all sporting leagues, we remain conscious of the need to be flexible in response to the challenges of the pandemic. This schedule provides us with a number of options should we need to pivot,”
said Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues.
Dobson hoped that the lessons learnt from organising both WBBL and BBL last year will hold them in good stead.
Of the 59 scheduled games, a record-breaking 47 will be televised Down Under. CA stated that in their media release, they will “continue to monitor the public health situation throughout the summer” with the pandemic still a major threat.
