SANFL grand final may be played at Thebarton Oval because of India cricket clash at Adelaide Oval
The SANFL could be forced to move its grand final from Adelaide Oval in October because of India’s cricket tour to Australia.
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The SANFL grand final is almost certain to be played at Thebarton Oval if India’s cricket tour to Australia goes ahead as scheduled.
The third clash of the Twenty20 series between the heavyweights of world cricket is programmed for Adelaide Oval on October 17, the same weekend of the SANFL premiership decider.
And while the SANFL has not given up hope of a grand final at the state’s premier sporting arena, there is also the possibility of a state league club not involved hosting the game.
“We made the announcement on the SANFL grand final and later that day Cricket Australia came out with their schedule,” SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson said.
“When they announced their schedule, they also said it was open to change depending on what happens with the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are obviously planning if we don’t get Adelaide Oval, but the reality is there is a lot of time between now and then. There is water to go under the bridge with what is happening globally yet.
“When India tour, how India tour? Cricket Australia has overseas teams flying all around the country and we can’t cross the border to Victoria, so there is a way to go yet for what the schedule looks like for cricket, I would think.
“We would probably go to Thebarton Oval for the grand final, but we will do what we can to play at Adelaide Oval.”
Parkinson said while Thebarton Oval needed renovations, its appeal was being a neutral ground as well as the ability to accommodate a “reasonable number” of fans.
The state league season will start on June 27 with the first two rounds, both double headers, confirmed for Adelaide Oval.
Parkinson admitted he sometimes can’t believe the season will go ahead.
“When we called the postponement to the season back in March it all looked grim,” he said. “Even into May it looked grim.
“Now we will be the first state league back. The best state league in the country will be back playing 14 rounds and the eight clubs play each other twice so it is even.”