Tigers forced to cool heels for another week after third revision of WNCL fixture

The Tigers will have to wait another week to open their WNCL season — and prepare for a new opening round opponent — after Cricket Australia adjusted the fixture for a second time

• Tigers land four home WNCL matches at Blundstone Arena
• Clarence captain in good touch leading into 50-over campaign

TASMANIA will no longer kick off the WNCL season after Cricket Australia adjusted the roster for the second time due to the impact of state border closures from COVID-19.

The Tigers women were initially set to open their campaign on home soil against Victoria on Friday following the first release of the fixture.

An adjustment saw that clash and another against Queensland on Sunday pushed back, and the side was slated to play the first match of the tournament next Monday against South Australia in Adelaide.

Tasmania was set to open its WNCL campaign against South Australia next week. (Image AAP/Mark Brake)

CA on Wednesday made further changes, leaving the Tigers waiting another week to begin their 50-over season.

Tasmania will now meet the ACT in their first encounter on February 3 in Canberra, followed by the match against the Scorpions on February 5, also in the nation’s capital.

The opening seven matches of the competition, due to be played between January 25 and 29, have been rescheduled.

“The latest changes to the 2020-21 WNCL schedule, which will see the season now begin on January 30, have been made to ensure the competition is given the best chance to be completed in full,” Cricket Australia’s executive general manager, high performance, Drew Ginn said.

“We’d like to acknowledge the work of our State and Territory Associations, particularly the high performance managers at each, who have worked together to ensure the domestic schedule can proceed.

The Tigers will now meet the ACT in their first WNCL match (AAP Image for Cricket Australia/Glenn Hunt)

“While many changes to the schedule throughout the summer have occurred in reaction to border closures, a number of proactive decisions have also been taken to ensure the strength of the competition is maintained, in balance with the welfare of players and staff.

“This process will continue for the remainder of the summer as we continue to monitor the public health situation, border closures and related impacts.

“We thank everyone involved in Australian Cricket for their flexibility and understanding and look forward to the beginning of the WNCL season.”

Tasmania’s first home match will be against Western Australia on February 19.

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