WBBL Matches Doubtful As Tasmania Locks Down

WBBL 2021 season kicked off on Thursday with the match between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars in Hobart.

This weekend’s WBBL fixtures southern Tasmania went into a three-day lockdown on Friday.

Crowds won’t be allowed to enter in the matches held in the state of Tasmania.

WBBL matches will go ahead in Tasmania without crowd: Peter Gutwein

According to a report by cricket.com.au, four WBBL-07 games are scheduled to be played at Blundstone Arena (in Hobart) across Saturday and Sunday, with Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein suggesting crowds will now not be able to attend those matches.

Cricket Australia and the Tasmanian state government are working through contingency plans, with CA emphasising all players and staff have received COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Bearing in mind there are national and international matters to consider here in terms of the broadcast, if they do go ahead they would go ahead with no crowd and with the players remaining in a bubble,” Gutwein mentioned in his press conference.

We are currently working with the Tasmanian Government: Cricket Australia

Seven of the eight WBBL clubs are in Tasmania. Perth Scorchers were scheduled to fly on Friday for their first match against Brisbane Heat on Sunday but confirmed they would remain in Western Australia until more information was available.

Hobart Hurricanes are scheduled to play the Renegades on Saturday afternoon, before Adelaide Strikers face Sydney Thunder on Saturday night.

The Hurricanes then back up against the Sixers on Sunday morning, before the Heat play the Scorchers.

Cricket Australia said that the safety and health of the players is their top most priority.

“The health and safety of our players, staff, match officials and partners, along with that of the wider community, remains our top priority,” CA said in a statement.

“We are currently working with the Tasmanian Government on options for the upcoming Weber WBBL 07 matches at Blundstone Arena, Hobart this weekend,” the statement further read.

Sydney Sixers won the opening match of WBBL 2021 in a match that was reduced to 11 overs per innings.

Sixers’ wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy’s 27-ball 57 helped her team to chase 100 runs with  four balls to spare.

Also Read: WBBL 2021: Sydney Thunder Captain Rachael Haynes To Miss Entire Season Because Of Border Restrictions In Australia