Cricket Australia will for the primary time play standalone Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) video games on the MCG and SCG this summer time, because the competitors makes a shift in direction of greater venues.
Officials on Thursday confirmed the schedule for 2023-24, with the final weekend of the common season to be performed completely in main stadiums.
The Adelaide Oval will host a double-header on November 24, earlier than a Melbourne derby is performed on the MCG on November 25 adopted by one other two matches on the SCG the next day.
While the Adelaide Oval has beforehand been used for the WBBL, matches have historically solely been performed at smaller venues in Melbourne and Sydney because the league turned a stand-alone competitors in 2019-20.
The clashes would be the first ladies’s matches on the SCG or MCG exterior of the Twenty20 World Cup since 2016 and 2017 respectively.
“We’re seeing around the world that when you put great cricket on in big famous stadiums, people want to turn up,” BBL boss Alistair Dobson stated.
“We’re seeing it in the UK at the moment (with the Ashes), we have seen it in the WPL (in India). It’s an obvious one from a WBBL perspective.
“Doing it on a smaller scale with three or 4 matches at totally different venues is an efficient means of beginning to construct the momentum as a part of a longer-term journey.”
The shift to bigger stadiums comes as part of a number of changes in this summer’s schedule.
There is an increase from 17 to 25 night matches, while the number of neutral-venue fixtures has plummeted from 24 to 10.
Match days will also include at least one home team, with all neutral-venue games to be part of double headers.
Players last year were unhappy with being asked to play in front of small crowds for one-off games in neutral cities.
“It’s been a powerful message from them for numerous years that decreasing impartial video games and enjoying extra typically at house is one thing they need,” Dobson stated.
“As the competitors continues to evolve we wish gamers and groups to play extra commonly of their market.”
Sydney Sixers will open the season in opposition to Melbourne Stars on October 19 at North Sydney Oval, earlier than the ultimate is performed on December 2.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
