New start date for Breakers

The ANBL’s tip-off has been delayed again by Covid-19, with the league scrambling to issue a revised tworound draw just four days before the season was due to commence.

Outbreaks in NSWand Victoria have forced teams based in those states to scatter ahead of what should have been the season opener between Melbourne United and South EastMelbourne Phoenix on Sunday.

The Phoenix are now based in Hobart along with the New Zealand Breakers, while Unitedwill remain in Cairns and the Sydney Kings are in Albury with Wollongong’s Hawks.

The Taipans will instead launch the season in Cairns, against the Brian Goorjian-led Hawks next Friday as part of a two-round schedule reissued yesterday.

Perth will host United later that night in a season-launching double header, with two games each on Saturday and Sunday to complete the first round.

Round two will feature seven games in seven days in the lead-up to and during the Australia Day long weekend.

The Breakers were originally scheduled to begin the new season against Scotty Hopson’s United but will now meet last season’s champions PerthWildcats in Perth next Sunday before travelling to Adelaide to play the 36ers the followingWednesday. The Breakers will finish the round with another game away to Perth.

Revised ANBL schedule Round one

Friday, January 15: Taipans v Hawks, Wildcats v United

Saturday, January 16: 36ers v Phoenix, Bullets v Kings

Sunday, January 17: Taipans v Hawks, Wildcats v Breakers

Round two

Wednesday, January 20: 36ers v Breakers

Thursday, January 21: Bullets v United

Friday, January 22: 36ers v Phoenix Saturday, January 23: Taipans v Kings Sunday, January 24: Breakers v Wildcats

Monday, January 25: Taipans v Phoenix

Tuesday, January 26: Bullets v Hawks