Perth could be left out of a full home and away Big Bash schedule

The fifth Ashes Test in Perth remains in limbo, and now the Big Bash roadshow may not stop there either because of ongoing border restrictions.

Perth could miss out on BBL games because of border restrictions. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Big Bash games in Perth remain under a cloud after Cricket Australia opened the door for tickets sales at venues around the country but not Western Australia.

Opening borders amid high vaccination rates around the country have given CA every hope BBL fixtures will go ahead as scheduled beginning with the season opener on December 5 between the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

But games for the Scorchers set for Perth on December 8, 11, 20, 26 and 30, as well as January 5 and 6, may have to be moved given the complicated struggle to get players, officials and broadcast staff around the country for the 56-match tournament.

WA Premier Mark McGowan last week said he still believed Perth could host the final Ashes Test next January having already held the AFL grand final this year.

But AFL teams spent two full weeks in Perth before the match, something the BBL travelling roadshow would not allow.

The NBL is also set to change its draw just two weeks before the season because of the WA restrictions.

Perth has hosted WBBL games with teams travelling from Tasmania and South Australia, but getting in from Victoria and NSW remains problematic.

“Work is ongoing with the Perth Scorchers, WA Cricket, Cricket Australia and the Western Australia government to understand the biosecurity and safety requirements for matches to be played at Optus Stadium,” CA said in a statement.

“The league is committed to taking a full quota of Scorchers home games to Perth if permitted and will make further announcements shortly.”

#BBL11 is less than a month away!

Tickets are on sale starting TODAY 🎟 Here's when you can get amongst your club's pre-sale and general public ticket sales! https://t.co/b2s3oTmKlKpic.twitter.com/MUsGJo2mNL

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) November 8, 2021

NSW has already given the green light for the SCG to be at 100 per cent capacity, with Victoria and the MCG set to hold 80,000, or more, for the Boxing Day Test.

But WA is not opening its borders until late January at the earliest.

The lack of opportunity in WA comes despite every contracted BBL player set to be fully vaccinated by the start of the competition, which could help any biosecurity discussions.

“It is fantastic to see state borders opening,” BBL boss Alistair Dobson said.

“For the BBL, that means pressing on with the full home-and-away schedule we originally announced in July,”