Tasmanian squad will head to South Australia for first four rounds of Sheffield Shield season

Cricket Australia has confirmed the first month of the domestic summer will unfold in South Australia, with round one of the competition to begin in two weeks’ time. SEE ALL THE DATES >>

The Tigers will open their 2020-21 Sheffield Shield campaign against Queensland. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

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THE start of the Sheffield Shield season is just two weeks away with Cricket Australia confirming the first four rounds of the competition will be played in Adelaide.

CA has finally released the start of the domestic schedule, which will see all six states based in a “hub” in South Australia and play four matches each across three different venues.

A Tasmanian squad – likely to contain at least 15 players – will fly to Adelaide on October 8, with the Tigers to meet Queensland in their Shield opener at Park 25 starting two days later.

Park 25 is located directly behind Karen Rolton Oval.

The Tigers will play the Redbacks in round two starting October 19 at Karen Rolton Oval, before returning to Park 25 for rounds three and round against Victoria (starting October 30) and Western Australia (November 8-11).

Ben McDermott in action for the Tigers last summer. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“We would like to thank the South Australian government for their willingness to work together to deliver these fixtures,” interim Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.

“Many people have worked incredibly hard to arrive at this outcome, while recognising that player and staff safety and wellbeing remains the priority and having government restrictions in place to keep the community safe from COVID-19.”

The Big Bash League will take centre stage in December, with Tasmania in line to host all eight franchises in a hub for a portion of the tournament.

The remaining six matches of the Shield season, the Women’s National Cricket League, men’s One-Day Cup and under-19 female and male national championships will all be held in the New Year.

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