GEELONG BBL FIXTURE SNUB
GEELONG has failed to secure a Big Bash game in time for this morning’s fixture release, with Kardinia Park still in discussions to secure a match for the upcoming summer.
The Melbourne Renegades have been handed seven home games this season with five of them to be played at the Docklands.
The venues for the other two home games — on January 3 against the Adelaide Strikers and January 13 against the Brisbane Heat — are still to be confirmed.
The Geelong Advertiser understands that the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust and the State Government remain in negotiations with Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Renegades to host at least one of those two games, but a deal is yet to be struck.
The Renegades women are also yet to confirm venues for their January 3 and January 13 matches, leaving the door open for another double header in Geelong.
A Victorian Government spokesperson told the Geelong Advertiser: “We’ve invested in Kardinia Park to make it a world class venue and we look forward to hosting numerous major events there in the future.
“T20 cricket at GMHBA Stadium has been a huge success and we’re looking into holding more cricket matches as well as other sporting events at the venue.”
The Big Bash made its Geelong debut on January 3 this year, with the Renegades hosting the Sydney Sixers in a men’s and women’s double header in front of a healthy crowd of 23,586.
The stadium received acclaim from players and commentators alike, with English great Kevin Pietersen impressed with the set-up.
“There’s some beautiful parts in this country, we’re spoilt. This is absolutely gorgeous,” the former Test star said on the Channel 10 broadcast.
“What a lovely stadium. They are the best lights I’ve seen in world cricket. Very futuristic, very, very modern.”
Renegades veteran Brad Hodge also praised the wicket which saw Geelong’s Aaron Finch belt 51 off 38 balls.
“The stadium looks amazing and the wicket’s good,” Hodge said.
“This is a great part of the world. Lots of people go down to the coast and it’s a drop-in (pitch) so it’s similar to what we’ve been playing on.”
Both Cricket Australia and the Renegades declined to comment on stadium negotiations, while Kardinia Park didn’t return calls before deadline.
Geelong has been announced as an official host city for the Men’s ICC World T20 Cup in 2020, with GMHBA Stadium to host six matches.