Big Bash to host two Sydney Sixers matches at Coffs Harbour’s C.ex Stadium
Blockbusters at C.ex Stadium continue with fans in for a superb summer of cricket.
Coffs Harbour
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Not only will the Sydney Sixers return to C.ex Stadium this summer, they are going to do it twice.
In what is a massive coup for the region’s cricket fans the defending Big Bash League champions will play two games in nine days in Coffs Harbour, including a blockbuster grand final rematch with the Perth Scorchers.
And the good news doesn’t stop there. The first match against Melbourne Renegades will take place on January 1, offering locals the opportunity to ring in the new year with an event usually reserved for those in the metropolitan centres.
While the match has been moved to Coffs in part due to a scheduling clash with the traditional New Year’s Day test at the SCG, the significance of the fixture’s timing was not lost on Coffs Harbour Mayor Denise Knight.
The Mayor said it was a “really significant” achievement and was recognition of the great work put in by council’s events team and the way the fixture had been received by the community in 2020.
“The (staff) have done absolutely brilliantly to have it on New Year’s Day,” Ms Knight said.
“I say it all the time, Coffs is punching above its weight, we just keep getting these wonderful events. There’s so much happening in Coffs Harbour I am not shocked at all that we would be getting the BBL on New Year’s Day.
“The enormous success and sellout crowd at the first Big Bash League game the C.ex Coffs International Stadium hosted says it all about how exciting this is for regional cricket fans, particularly the young players.”
It’s the second time the Sixers have made the trip north after playing in front of a bumper crowd in 2020. While their last scheduled match at C.ex Stadium was moved due to the Covid pandemic, Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said the side “absolutely loved” playing cricket in Coffs.
“The Coffs Coast is a wonderful part of Northern NSW and the opportunity for us to bring two games up there and inspire more people to play and love cricket is too good to pass up,” he said.
When the Sixers last ventured north they took the opportunity to visit the devastated community of Nymboida, which months earlier had been ravaged by bushfire.
At the time, Sixers batsman Jordan Silk said it was an incredibly moving experience.
Member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh, said this is yet another exciting announcement for the Coffs Coast.
“After the smashing success of the first game, it’s great to be able to welcome two Big Bash games back to Coffs Harbour,” Mr Singh said.
“The C.ex Coffs International Stadium is perfectly suited to Big Bash cricket, and the enthusiastic support of the community last time is set to be repeated come January.”
BBL matches at C.ex Stadium, Coffs Harbour:
Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades - Saturday, January 1, 2022 at 7.15pm
Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers - Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 7.15pm
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