With the Big Bash League (BBL) facing a growing number of positive COVID-19 cases across the league, Cricket Australia is reportedly nearing a move to a Melbourne-based hub.
With matches across the competition being postponed and changed around on short notice due to the Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder, and Brisbane Heat having multiple positive cases across their squads, it is expected the league will move to Melbourne after 13 January.
BBL general manager, Alistair Dobson, said the league and its clubs are prepared to remain flexible with the ongoing developing COVID-19 situation.
“Firstly, our thoughts continue to be with players and staff across all clubs, plus all in the wider community, who have been infected with COVID-19,” Dobson said.
“We wish them all the best for a speedy recovery.
“The league and clubs have learned to be nimble in the current environment and we are pleased that we have found a solution to help safeguard all three matches so quickly.
“We thank all clubs for their co-operation and our fans for their understanding in these rapidly evolving circumstances,” he said.
With the league’s current protocols, any athlete who returns a positive test must isolate for a minimum of seven days, causing scheduling headaches for the league who currently is scheduling games with only a one-day gap.
Queensland Cricket CEO, Terry Svenson, said Cricket Australia and the league organisers have been very proactive.
“The health and safety of our players and coaches and support staff, and their families, is of paramount importance,” Svenson said.
“By making a decisive call on tonight’s game, we can work as efficiently as possible to support those players who have returned a positive rapid antigent test and assist the replacement players coming into the squad.
“It also means that fans who are attending the matches or were intending to do, can establish their options as soon as they are able.
“We are providing all the support we can to players, staff and their families.
“I’d like to thank the medical and off-field teams at both Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia for their ongoing guidance and support,” he said.
Reporting the potential Melbourne hub, The Sydney Morning Herald said athlete families would be unlikely to be permitted entry into the hub, with the league leaving open the opportunity for key, high selling fixtures to remain scheduled in Brisbane and Sydney.
The move would see as many as seven BBL matches, and five finals matches, available to be played across the MCG, Docklands, Junction Oval, and Kardinia Park.