Tasmania has capability to home all eight WBBL clubs if required should season be impacted by COVID-19

The Hobart Hurricanes will only play at home twice in WBBL|06 under the current fixture — but if COVID-19 forces matches to be moved, Tasmania has the facilities to host games across the state.

Adam Smith

@ajsmiddy

2 min read

July 15, 2020 - 5:00PM

THE Hurricanes run onto West Park for the Women's Big Bash League match against the Melbourne Stars in 2018. Picture: SCOTT BARBOUR/GETTY IMAGES

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TASMANIA would be well placed to host multiple “hubs” around the state if required for the WBBL season, Cricket Tasmania chief Dominic Baker says.

The women’s Big Bash will again be a stand-alone tournament this summer, commencing in mid-October and running until the end of November.

The release of the initial fixture has the Hurricanes playing just twice at home, almost certainly in Hobart, on the weekend of October 24-25, with Perth, Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers also featuring in matches on the same weekend.

It is in contrast to North Sydney Oval, Blacktown International Sports Park and Hurstville Oval in NSW, which will host a three-week hub for all eight teams compromising 30 matches — more than half the entire tournament.

Belinda Vakarewa tries to stop the ball during the Women's Big bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Adelaide Strikers at Blundstone Arena last year. Picture: STEVE BELL/GETTY IMAGES

The last weekend of the WBBL regular season is slated for Junction Oval in St Kilda.

However with Cricket Australia expecting fixture movement due to COVID-19, which is worsening in Victoria and NSW, Baker will not hesitate in pushing the state’s case to host more games.

Aside from premier venues Blundstone Arena and UTAS Stadium, West Park in Burnie has staged WBBL action in the past two seasons while the Tigers women have played WNCL matches at both the Twin Ovals and TCA in the south.

“One of the things I loved about the WBBL program when I first stepped into the role is that it was played right across the state and it was playing a great role in building awareness in young female athletes that cricket was an option for them,” Baker said.

Nicola Carey drives during Tasmania’s WNCL match at the TCA ground last year. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“It is slightly disappointing we won’t be able to get to Burnie and the north of the state but if the opportunity arises with a change of schedule we would certainly leap at being able to do that.

“We just have to deal with what is in front of us, get our home games, knock them over and provide the girls with the best opportunity to be successful.”

HURRICANES WBBL FIXTURE

v Melbourne Stars (Perth) Sat Oct 17

v Sydney Thunder (Perth) Sun Oct 18

v Melbourne Renegades (Tasmania) Sat Oct 24

v Sydney Sixers (Tasmania) Sun Oct 25

v Brisbane Heat (Hurstville Oval) Thu Oct 29

v Melbourne Stars (North Sydney Oval) Sat Oct 31

v Perth Scorchers (Blacktown) Sun Nov 1

v Adelaide Strikers (North Sydney Oval) Sat Nov 7

v Brisbane Heat (North Sydney Oval) Sun Nov 8

v Perth Scorchers (North Sydney Oval) Sat Nov 14

v Melbourne Renegades (Blacktown) Sun Nov 15