WNCL: First seven games of new season rescheduled due to health and border closure reasons

The Women’s National Cricket League season has been delayed because of COVID-19 ramifications.

Western Australia players celebrate during last season’s WNCL final against NSW. Picture: AAP Image for Cricket Australia/Brendon Thorne

The start of the Women’s National Cricket League season has been delayed as COVID-19 ramifications continue to wreak havoc with the sporting calendar.

The new WNCL season had been scheduled to start on Friday week with a match between Tasmania and Victoria at Blundstone Arena.

But the public health situation and state border closures means it is one of seven games originally scheduled for January 15-19 to now be played from February 28 to March 7.

The WNCL season will now start on January 25 when South Australia host Tasmania at Karen Rolton Oval. The final is still set to be played on March 27.

Western Australia celebrate winning last season’s WNCL final over NSW. Picture: AAP Image for Cricket Australia/Brendon Thorne

“The changes to the WNCL schedule have been made to give us the best possible chance of completing a full season,” Cricket Australia’s head of cricket operations Peter Roach said.

“We’d like to thank the state and territory associations, players, staff and the ACA (Australian Cricketers Association) for their flexibility and understanding as we navigate the challenges of the pandemic on our summer schedule.”

Western Australia head coach Becky Grundy said: “The changes to the fixture will give us the best possible chance to play out a full WNCL season, and we understand we need to remain flexible as we navigate through the challenges of scheduling cricket during the pandemic.”

Rescheduled games: Tasmania v Victoria (from January 15 to February 28), SA v NSW (January 15 to February 28), WA v ACT (January 15 to February 28), Tasmania v Queensland (January 17 to March 7), WA v SA (January 18 to March 3), ACT v NSW (January 19 to March 7), Victoria v Queensland (January 19 to March 5).