Finalists denied comforts of home

Covid-enforced changes made to the Big Bash League schedule at the last minute have robbed teams of their chance to play at home in the first week of the finals.

Teams that finish first, third and fourth on the ladder traditionally play their first final in front of their home crowd.

However, Cricket Australia confirmed just two days before the finals that The Eliminator (fourth v fifth) and The Knockout (third v winner of Eliminator) would be played at the MCG in order to “safeguard the matches against the potential impacts of Covid-19”.

The first-placed Perth Scorchers were permitted to nominate a preferred home venue for The Qualifier (first v second) and selected Marvel Stadium, given Western Australia’s hard border regulations.

As is usually the case, the loser of The Qualifier will host a home final in The Challenger, which could be interstate.

Interstate teams have struggled to draw crowds in Victoria since the relocation of the league earlier this month, but Cricket NSW said the Sydney Thunder and Sixers, both of whom will play in the finals, were committed to rolling with the punches.

“While it’s disappointing for the members, fans, sponsors, venues and players of the club that earns the right to host Sunday’s final to have to play

in Melbourne instead of at their home ground, we understand the Cricket Australia decision based on the desire to reduce the impacts of exposure to Covid-19,” Cricket NSW chief Lee Germon said.

The Adelaide Strikers have found their form at the best possible time, stringing together a four-game winning streak to storm off the bottom of the ladder and into the finals.

Coach Jason Gillespie said his resurgent side was happy to play anywhere.

“We’re just grateful that we’ve qualified,” he said.

Cricket Australia’s general manager of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson, said the decision to stage the first week of the finals series in Melbourne was difficult.