Melbourne BBL sides to longer take part in 2021 NT Strike League due to ongoing lockdowns
Lockdowns across the country mean Melbourne Stars and Renegades will no longer take part in Darwin’s TIO Men’s Strike League T20 Tournament.
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LOCKDOWNS across the country mean Melbourne Stars and Renegades will now be unable to take part in Darwin’s TIO Men’s Strike League T20 Tournament, but have made an early commitment for the 2022 edition.
Following the Victorian government’s decision to extend lockdown restrictions in Melbourne until September 2 neither Big Bash side is able to travel to the NT to take part in the 2021 TIO Men’s Strike League.
In a joint statement Stars interim general manager Blair Crouch and Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said they looked forward to joining the competition in 2022.
“We’re obviously disappointed that the academy sides at both clubs are unable to compete in this year’s edition of the TIO Strike League,” they said.
“We are strong supporters of the Strike League and the playing opportunities the Cricket 365 program provides to southern states in particular.
“We’d like to extend our thanks to NT Cricket for their planning support to date and we look forward to being able to compete next year without the challenges we’re currently experiencing.”
NT Cricket chief executive Joel Morrison was disappointed the Melbourne sides couldn’t come for the 2021 edition but was pleased to see both clubs make an early commitment to joining the tournament in 2022.
“It’s disappointing that the Melbourne Big Bash teams can’t make it to Darwin this year,” Morrison said.
“But we really appreciate the approach both took to give themselves every chance of playing in the tournament despite the ongoing challenges presented by coronavirus.
“Their early commitment to making the trip to Darwin in 2022 is a vote of confidence in our Cricket 365 program and we look forward to hosting them next year.”
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