BBL double header coming to Geelong as postponed Stars-Scorchers clash finds home

Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium will host the Covid-postponed clash between the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers, and could be in the frame to host even more matches in a proposed BBL hub.

GMHBA Stadium is on standby to host more BBL games as Cricket Australia considers a hub to complete the season, with Geelong preparing to welcome a Big Bash double-header.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust has confirmed it is in talks with the sport’s governing body about bringing more games to Geelong, including back-to-back games next week.

Haris Rauf and the Stars are set to feature at GMHBA Stadium. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

It’s understood that Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars will play at Kardinia Park on Tuesday ahead of the Melbourne Renegades-Sydney Sixers game, which had already been scheduled.

It means Geelong fans could have the chance to see local cricketer Brody Couch — who has wowed former Australian cricketers for his composure as a rookie this season — play on his ‘home’ turf.

The Stars-Scorchers match was originally scheduled for December 30, but was postponed when seven Stars players returned positive Covid-19 tests on the morning of the match.

It comes as Cricket Australia (CA) considers a Melbourne hub, which could include moving games to Geelong, in the concluding weeks of the Covid-hit season.

Multiple franchises have reported positives cases, leaving administrators scrambling on how to safely finish the season.

KPST chair Gerard Griffin confirmed it was in talks with CA about bringing more games to GMHBA Stadium.

“GMHBA Stadium is ready to support the BBL competition should the stadium be needed as a venue for a cricket hub,” Griffin said.

“Discussions are continuing with the various governing bodies.”

However, any additional BBL games in Geelong would need to fit with the start of the AFLW season.

The Geelong match will give Brody Couch (right) the chance to play in front of his true home crowd. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Geelong has consecutive home games on January 15 (Western Bulldogs) and January 21 (Collingwood).

GMHBA Stadium head curator Liam Kirkman said catering to both codes would be difficult.

“There has been speculation of the league (BBL) coming to Victoria,” Kirkman said.

“We are governed by AFLW as well.

“In terms of trying to fit more (BBL) games in, we can do it but it doesn’t give us a lot of time

“In terms of taking out the wicket, we take the turf out after (Tuesday) and the crane will be in the next morning to pick it up and then we only really have three days before the footy.

“I would love to keep the wicket in longer and play longer through the summer but with it being a multipurpose stadium these days we have to make way for AFLW.”

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Originally published as BBL double header coming to Geelong as postponed Stars-Scorchers clash finds home