The WBBL will return in its stand-alone slot in the Australian summer once again in 2020-21.
Despite the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak around the world, and the major financial upheaval experienced by Cricket Australia over recent months, a 59-match season has been scheduled, starting on October 17.
The eight franchises will enjoy the spotlight of the early campaign, with round robin matches running through until Sunday, November 22.
A three-week mid-season Sydney hub has been included for all eight teams; a measure aimed at adding flexibility to the fixture given the uncertainties around travel and border restrictions amid the pandemic. Matches will be held at three venues – North Sydney Oval, Blacktown International Sports Park and Hurstville Oval.
This season matches will largely be played on weekends, with 26 games to be televised on the Seven Network and Fox Cricket, and the remaining 33 games live streamed on the CA Live app and cricket.com.au. All matches will be streamed on Kayo Sports.
The final is currently earmarked for Sunday, November 29 - the week before the men's Big Bash term kicks off.
Big Bash Leagues head Alistair Dobson said: “Our clubs should be commended for their determination and commitment to delivering a full 59-game season for the rebel WBBL06.
“As with all sporting competitions around the world, we must remain vigilant and agile in responding to the COVID-19 situation as it develops.
"We will continue to work with all relevant federal and state government agencies, biosecurity experts, venues, clubs, players, broadcast partners and our own internal teams to ensure a safe and successful summer.
“We’ll continue to act in accordance with public health advice and government protocols to ensure the safety of the public, players and support staff.”
WBBL 06 fixture list
Saturday, October 17: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers, Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes, Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder
Sunday, October 18: Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades, Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers, Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars
Saturday, October 24: Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder, Petch Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers, Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades
Sunday, October 25: Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder, Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades, Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers
Wednesday, October 28: Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades
Thursday, October 29: Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers
Saturday, October 31: Sydney Thunder vs Perth Scorchers, Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars, Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Strikers vs Brisbane Heat
Sunday, November 1: Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars, Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers, Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Renegades
Saturday, November 7: Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder
Sunday, November 8: Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers
Tuesday, November 10: Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers, Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder
Saturday, November 14: Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades, Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers
Sunday, November 15: Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers
Thursday, November 19: Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes
Saturday, November 21: Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes, Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Sixers
Sunday, November 22: Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers
TBC: Semi-finals
Sunday, November 29: Final
John Stephenson
john@cricketinvestor.co.uk
#Cricketnews #WBBL
