BBL news:Western Australia’s zealous Covid stance forces Perth Scorchers to relocate

The Perth Scorchers have been booted out of Western Australia due to the State’s hardline quarantine stance, and that may not be the end of the pain.

The Perth Scorchers must get used to life on the road this season. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Melbourne is set for a Christmas bonanza of cricket with the Perth Scorchers forced to host two Big Bash matches at Marvel Stadium during the Boxing Day Test after being booted out of their home state.

Cricket Australia has relocated all five remaining BBL matches scheduled for Perth Stadium because of Western Australia’s hardline border stance.

The state government has now cost cricket fans the blockbuster fifth Ashes Test match, six BBL matches and potentially BBL finals should the Scorchers finish in the top four on the ladder.

All eyes are now on whether Perth can hold on to the ODI between Australia and New Zealand on January 30.

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The Perth Scorchers must get used to life on the road this season. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

News Corp exclusively revealed last week that Scorchers were set to host Melbourne Renegades (December 26) and Melbourne Stars (December 30) at Docklands as cricket’s exodus from the west deepened.

Not even jetting BBL clubs into a private airport in Essendon on chartered flights and then transporting them directly to and from matches could’ve saved the Scorchers’ home summer.

That expensive plan would’ve seen BBL clubs – who are already abiding by strict Covid-safe protocols – wrapped in the tightest of bubbles in a final attempt to play matches at Perth Stadium.

Scorchers have also lost Monday’s home game against Hobart Hurricanes despite optimism that match would receive the green light to go ahead at Perth Stadium.

It will instead be played at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

Renegades fans can pile into Marvel Stadium once play finishes at the MCG on Boxing Day to continue their cricketing feast. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Boxing Day BBL match against Renegades will begin at 9.15pm local time, meaning live cricket in Melbourne will start at 10.30am for the MCG Test match and could finish as late as 1am at Marvel Stadium.

Renegades were bracing for the prospect of spending Christmas Day in hotel quarantine in Perth but will now be free to spend it at home with their families.

“We understand this is a disappointing decision for the Scorchers’ passionate fanbase, but in the current environment we want to provide certainty for members, fans, players, match officials and staff,” BBL general manager Alistair Dobson said.

“While our preference was to play these matches in Perth, this was simply not possible under the current arrangements when all factors are taken into account.”

Originally published as BBL news:Western Australia’s zealous Covid stance forces Perth Scorchers to relocate