Liz Cambage return in WNBL round one, Grand Final replay round two

BASKETBALL fans will see the return of Opals giant Liz Cambage in the opening round and a replay of last season’s decider in round two of the 2017/18 WNBL.

Australian basketball player Liz Cambage is set to return to the WNBL.

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BASKETBALL fans will see the return of Opals giant Liz Cambage in the opening round of the shortened 2017/18 competition with a replay of last season’s decider between the Sydney Uni Flames and Dandenong scheduled for round two.

The fixture for the new, three-month competition was released on Wednesday with a triple-header opening the competition on October 6.

Lightning will host the Sydney Uni Flames, the Canberra Capitals will take on Bendigo and the Dandenong Rangers will host the Boomers.

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The Flames after winning the last WNBL crown.

The Flames then head to the airport to make their match against Perth on October 8 in a tough opening weekend for the champions.

Cambage is set to make her return the following night when the Boomers play the Suzy Batkovic lead Townsville Fire.

The Belinda Snell captained Flames will then host Dandenong a week later in the Grand Final replay on October 14 before hitting the road to meet old foes Townsville on October 19.

“The condensed nature of this season’s draw means it is going to be a war of attrition,” said Townsville captain Suzy Batkovic.

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Liz Cambage and Erin Phillips at the Rio Olympics.

“There’s no time to rest, so every team will be hoping to come out all guns blazing and we are no different.’’

It will be a whirlwind start to the season for the Flames who play at home just four times in the opening eight rounds of competition.

Teams, boasting Opals including Snell, Cambage, Abby Bishop, Jenna O’Hea, Rachel Jarry, Nat Hurst, Katie-Rae Ebzery and Cayla George, will play 21 games across 13 rounds through the regular season.

A broadcast deal with FOX Sports will see one game per round, plus every Finals match, shown live through to 2019-20.