Sheffield Shield: Bushrangers to return to Alice Springs for their game against NSW
VICTORIA’S lack of an alternative venue for first-class cricket continues to affect the Bushrangers who will play a Sheffield Shield game against NSW in Alice Springs.
Vic Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Vic Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
VICTORIA’S lack of an alternative venue for first-class cricket continues to affect the Bushrangers who will play their last-round Sheffield Shield game against NSW in Alice Springs.
The Bushrangers also played two games at Traeger Park last season and hosted the Shield final in Hobart, which was a drawn match against Western Australia which enabled top-ranked Victoria to be crowned champion.
Captain Matthew Wade’s Bushrangers sit on top of the table and will host Tasmania next week as the Shield season resumes following the Big Bash League break over December and January.
Victoria’s last home-and-away game is on March 15 to 18, which will be played in Alice Springs against the Blues.
The Shield final starts on March 26, just two days after the AFL season begins with a blockbuster game at the MCG between Richmond and Carlton.
If Victoria finishes on top and is the host team for the Shield final, an alternative venue to the MCG will have to be arranged.
Work on the $40 million redevelopment at St Kilda’s Junction Oval, which will feature a new first-class venue, is expected to be completed before the 2017/18 season.
Cricket Victoria released a statement saying the move to play in Alice Springs has the support of Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW.
“It’s great to be back in our home away from home Alice Springs,” Victoria’s general manager of cricket Shaun Graf said.
“The local community really got behind us last year so we’re happy to be able to return again.
“It’s a rare opportunity for Northern Territory fans to see elite cricket in their own backyard with many international players from the two states to be playing in this match.”
Full guide: 100+ imports bound for Aussie local cricket comps
More than 100 overseas cricketers will spend the Ashes summer Down Under after committing to local clubs around Australia. See full profiles and who’s signed where here.
BBL next? Premier spinner’s career takes another positive turn
Michael Archer rose to prominence with a hat-trick in the inaugural Melbourne T10 Invitational. Now, he’s taken a huge step toward a career in the Big Bash League.