Cricket Tasmania chairman hopeful state’s pre-Christmas Big Bash is just an entree to more matches

Sports-starved Tasmanian fans have received an early Christmas present with confirmation of a 10-day BBL bonanza, but Cricket Tasmania is hoping celebrations can continue into the New Year. SEE THE FIXTURES>>

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TASMANIA has landed its Big Bash bonanza — but Cricket Tasmania has more Twenty20 action in sight after New Year’s Eve.

The state has already locked in the most single-season BBL content ever with eight games in 10 days to kickstart the 2020-21 tournament, four of which will feature the Hobart Hurricanes.

However CT chairman Andrew Gaggin will lobby for additional games in January when the rest of the competition takes shape.

Cricket Australia has finalised the fixture for the 10th edition of the tournament, which sees the Hurricanes open proceedings against defending champions Sydney Sixers at Blundstone Arena on December 10.

From left, Nate Debnam, 7, Oliver Meers, 8, and Lockie Tuckett, 9, who are great mates and excited for the Hurricanes to be playing in Hobart and Launceston as part of the BBL hub. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Venues for matches after New Year’s Eve — which initially had the Hurricanes slated to play Adelaide — have not been allocated, and will be announced in coming weeks with the easing of border restrictions around the country.

“Not only we will see six of the world’s best T20 teams playing in Tasmania, we will see four Hurricanes home games,” Mr Gaggin said.

“We remain in ongoing negotiations to try and get games after Christmas, we are hoping this isn’t the entirety of it.

“We are hopeful of more, we obviously want more international content and I think things are looking promising for that next season.

“They haven’t announced the fixturing after Christmas, broadcast requirements, crowd requirements, what’s happening on the mainland will determine that.

“There is also a cost element obviously but we are trying to get as many games as we can.

“It is the most BBL games that has ever been played in Tasmania in any one season, we are not going to complain.”

Blundstone Arena and UTAS Stadium, which will host back to back matches on December 15 and 16, will be capped at 50 per cent capacity.

BBL09 elimination final between the Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder from Blundstone Arena. Hurricane Matthew Wade leads the team out to field. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

After being unapologetic for blocking AFL games from taking place in Tasmania earlier in the year, Premier Peter Gutwein said the time was now right to allow major sports back into the state.

“I have made decisions right throughout this that I wouldn’t put Tasmanians’ health at risk, there are many that complained in terms of the position we took with the AFL.

“It was the right decision at the time based on the risk of COVID here in Tasmania and also the broader risk COVID was presenting around the country.

“Now as Tasmania remains in a very safe place, the rest of the country is starting to right itself. We are in a position where with an appropriate COVID safety plan, we can allow this tournament to go ahead.

“There is more chance of games going on here in Tasmania than any other location in the country.”

The government has provided around $200,000 a year to support BBL action in Tasmania and while Mr Gutwein said the figure will increase slightly to around $260,000, the costs of the Big Bash hub will fall on Cricket Australia.

TASMANIA’S BIG BASH SPECTACLE

Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers (BA) Dec 10, 7.15pm

Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers (BA) Dec 12, 7.15pm

Hobart Hurricanes v Adelaide Strikers (BA) Dec 12, 7.15pm

Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers (BA) Dec 13, 7.15pm

Hobart Hurricanes v Adelaide Strikers (UTAS) Dec 15, 7.15pm

Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars (UTAS) Dec 16, 7.15pm

Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades (BA) Dec 19, 11.10am

Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Sixers (BA) Dec 20, 11.10am

HURRICANES BBL10 FIXTURE

v Sydney Sixers (BA) Dec 10, 7.15pm

v Adelaide Strikers (BA) Dec 12, 7.15pm

v Adelaide Strikers (UTAS) Dec 15, 7.15pm

v Melbourne Renegades (BA) Dec 19, 11.10am

v Brisbane Heat (Gabba) Dec 27, 7.15pm

v Brisbane Heat (Gabba) Dec 30, 7.15pm

v Melbourne Stars (TBA) Jan 2, 5.05pm

v Melbourne Stars (TBA) Jan 5, 4.05pm

v Sydney Thunder (TBA) Jan 7, 6.10pm

v Perth Scorchers (TBA) Jan 12, 7.15pm

v Sydney Thunder (TBA) Jan 18, 7.15pm

v Perth Scorchers (TBA) Jan 22, 4.05pm

v Sydney Sixers (TBA) Jan 24, 7.15pm

v Melbourne Renegades (TBA) Jan 26, 4.15pm

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