Capital gain from chaos

Canberra ready to possibly host Big Bash finals

CANBERRA is on standby to host Big Bash finals, with confirmation of venues set to come after a blockbuster lastday triple header of matches which will determine who makes the playoffs.

Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder may be forced to play “home” finals interstate because of border restrictions.

But the Perth Scorchers could get a leg-up should they finish on top because of CrickQualifier’, et Australia’s quarantine plan with the WA government making entry possible.

Any teams that have to travel to the west from states considered even “low risk” COVID-19 spots, including the home team, would train and play while in quarantine.

Ahead of the jam-packed final day of the regular season today, the Melbourne Renegades

are the only team which can’t make the playoffs.

Only the Scorchers and second-placed Sixers are assured of playing finals.

The final match, between last year’s finalists Melbourne Stars and the Sixers, will determine the final ladder, with the top five of eight teams qualifying for finals.

That could see the Scorchers,

either of the Sydney teams, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes or Brisbane Heat qualify to host home finals. Finals venues won’t be confirmed by CA until after the final match, but it’s understood that games in Sydney in the opening round are unlikely.

Earlier this month seven BBL games were moved

Five of those matches were scheduled to be played in Sydney, with the other two originally set for Melbourne.

There haven’t been any BBL games in Sydney this season. The Adelaide Oval, MCG and Marvel Stadium have continued to host matches in the run to the finals.

The top-two finishers will face off in a match called ‘The

which will see the winner progress straight through to the final.

The teams finishing fourth and fifth will meet in ‘The Eliminator’ from which the winner will clash against the third-placed team in ‘The Knockout’ match.

The winner of that game will play the loser of ‘The Qualifier’ in ’The Challenger’ match for a spot in the final.

Regardless of who makes the BBL final, the MCG could host the decider.