A final day BBL frenzy will determine who makes finals with open borders to decide where they are played

Border closures could mean interstate “home” finals for Sydney BBL teams.

The Sydney Sixers may have to play a ‘home’ BBL final interstate. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Canberra is on standby to host Big Bash finals with confirmation of venues set to come after a blockbuster last-day triple header of matches which will determine who makes the playoffs.

Both the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder could be forced to play “home” finals interstate because of border restrictions.

But the ladder-leading Perth Scorchers could get a leg-up should they finish on top because of Cricket Australia’s quarantine plan with the WA government making entry possible.

Any teams that have to travel to the west from states considered even “low risk” COVID-19 spots, including the home team, would train and play while in quarantine.

Ahead of the jam-packed final day of the regular season on Tuesday, the Melbourne Renegades are the only team which can’t make the playoffs.

Only the Scorchers and second-placed Sixers are assured of playing finals.

The final match, between last year’s finalists the Melbourne Stars and the Sixers, will determine the final ladder with the top five of eight teams qualifying for finals.

That could mean the Scorchers, either of the Sydney teams, the Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes or even the Brisbane Heat qualify to host home finals.

The @HurricanesBBL get into the top five!

Final scores: https://t.co/TPn7BBgxoK #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/H3ZxFud2mZ

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2021

Finals venues won’t be confirmed by CA until after the final match, but it’s understood that games in Sydney in the opening round are unlikely.

Earlier this month seven BBL games were moved as a result of state border closures and related impacts.

Five of those matches were scheduled to be played in Sydney, with the other two originally set for Melbourne.

There have been no BBL games in Sydney this season. The Adelaide Oval, MCG and Marvel Stadium have continued to host matches in the run to the finals.

The top two finishers will face off in a match called “The Qualifier”, where the winner progresses straight through to the final.

The teams finishing fourth and fifth will meet in ‘The Eliminator” from which the winner will face off against the third-placed team in “The Knockout” match.

The winner of that game will play the loser of The Qualifier in “The Challenger” match for a spot in the final.

Regardless of who makes the BBL final, the MCG could host the decider.

Originally published as A final day BBL frenzy will determine who makes finals with open borders to decide where they are played