Cricket Australia looks to post Coronavirus normality in naming full Big Bash League season schedule

Cricket Australia has announced that its Big Bash League (BBL) will return to a full home and away schedule this season, with a new and returning venues set to host its 11th year of competition.

The 2021/22 edition of the Twenty20 competition is scheduled to commence on 5th December with reigning champions Sydney Sixers taking on the Melbourne Stars at the Sydney Cricket Ground while the final has been scheduled for 28th January.

The timetable will see the competition concluded before February for the first time since 2017,  ensuring the BBL will take place within Australia’s summer school holidays.

Cricket Australia hope this will revive attendances after falls in recent years and the restricted 2020/21 were the BBL was played out at selected venues, with restricted capacities.

Cricket Australia said that while it will continue to monitor the public health situation, a total of 14 venues are planned to be visited across seven states and territories, including a return to GMHBA Stadium in Geelong and C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

For the first time, the BBL will also play one match at the historic CitiPower Centre (formerly Junction Oval) in Melbourne.

Announcing Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, commented “the KFC BBL is ready to launch into our second decade with a schedule that takes the full allocation of home matches back to fans across the country.

“This season’s schedule features all the key components that makes the League Australia’s most exciting sports entertainment product, with blockbuster matches, big rivalries and passionate fans nationwide.

“We’re also delighted that this season will be completed within the school holidays, with the final set down for January 28.

“Like all leagues globally, we remain conscious of the need to be agile in response to the challenges of the pandemic. We are confident that the experience obtained through our successful completion of the KFC BBL|10 campaign will hold us in good stead as we deliver the best possible competition for our players and fans.”

Cricket Australia announced last month that stadia will be sold to full capacity for the 2021/22 Ashes series, with the exception of the MCG which will have an initial capacity of 85%.

Image: For the first time, the BBL will play at the CitiPower Centre (formerly Junction Oval) in Melbourne (top, credit: Cricket Victoria) and the 2021/22 BBL fixture list (below).