More fans could be allowed into last two BBL matches in Tasmania if COVID-19 precautions followed
As sports starved Tasmanian fans prepare for a Big Bash bonanza starting Thursday, premier Peter Gutwein has hinted stadium crowd restrictions could be eased in the New Year
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INCREASED capacity at Blundstone Arena for the Hurricanes’ last two home BBL matches is on the table if the upcoming Big Bash bonanza proves successful.
Sports starved Tasmanian fans will finally get to attend top level live action from Thursday when BBL|10 kicks off featuring Hobart and defending champions the Sydney Sixers.
It is the first of eight matches in 10 days in the state, four featuring the home side, but crowds have been capped at 50 per cent for both Blundstone and UTAS Stadium.
However in light of other states lifting restrictions — NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian last week announced venues could return to 100 per cent capacity from yesterday — Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein has hinted he could follow suit.
The Hurricanes host the Melbourne Stars on January 2 and 4, and should there be no complications from the first block of pre-Christmas games, more fans could be on deck in the New Year.
“Obviously other states have already moved, again it’s something that public health are looking at very closely,” Gutwein said as the Government launched its summer phase of the Keep On Top Of COVID campaign.
“I’d say to Tasmanians, let’s do the right thing. The rules are in place, let’s get along and enjoy a cracker of a game of cricket.
“Importantly, when you here in the venue, follow the rules, do the right thing and obviously public health will be able to take that into account.
“If we are to take a step forward and do more in venues like this, if we could do more in terms of removing some of the restrictions, we need to keep our testing rates high.”
While some tickets for the opening match remain available, there will be no gate sales this season as Cricket Tasmania ensures it is COVID-19 compliant.Sanitising stations will be set up around the venue, while members will also be able to order food and drinks via a new app Snackr.
“There was a fracas last week around whether Tasmania and in fact these stadia were good enough to host games,” CT chief Dominic Baker said.
“I’d dearly love to see Tasmanians vote with their feet, I think it’s a really great opportunity for us to demonstrate that cricket is a sport that they love but also live sport in general is something Tasmanians love.
“It [increased crowds] would be absolutely fantastic but the thing in our mind at the moment is to make sure that we nail these first eight games.
“We’ve been given a lot of help to get to that point, I want to be able to demonstrate to the Tasmanian public and to the State Government that they backed the right horse in letting us have these games.
“We would be very happy to sit down with the premier post that and do a review of how we went and if that leads to more crowds, that’d be great.”
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