BBL announces rejigged schedule after COVID outbreak

The Big Bash League (BBL) has decided to relocate to Victoria with all clubs to set up base in Melbourne in a bid to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the BBL camps.

Seven out of the 11 matches from January 10-16 will take place in Victoria. A couple of games will still be played interstate, with teams scheduled to fly out on charter planes.

Interstate games include the Sydney derby at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 15 and Brisbane hosting Adelaide at the Gabba on January 12. The Sydney Sixers' game against the Perth Scorchers, for a place at the top of the table, will also go as per the old schedule on January 9.

In a statement, the BBL confirmed the postponed game between the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers will take place "in the coming days".

Meanwhile, dates for the five-team finals series currently remain unchanged. The final is scheduled to be played on January 28.

Revised BBL schedule from January 8-16 (all time in AET)

January 8: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder, Marvel Stadium, 6:05 PM

Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes, The Gabba, 8:30 PM

January 9: Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers, Coffs International Stadium, 7:15 PM

January 10: Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, MCG, 2:10 PM

Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers, MCG, 7:15 PM

January 11: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars, GMHBA Stadium, 2:10 PM

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers, GMHBA Stadium, 7:15 PM

January 12: Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers, The Gabba, 7:15 PM

January 13: Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes, Marvel Stadium, 3:45 PM

Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars, Marvel Stadium, 7:15 PM

January 14: Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Oval, 10:40 AM

January 15: Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Oval, 10:40 AM

Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder, SCG, 6:40 PM

January 16: Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat, MCG, 7:15 PM

Sixers become the 7th BBL club to hit by COVID-19

The Sydney Sixers on Thursday became the seventh out of the eight BBL clubs to be hit by the COVID-19. Four members of the squad have tested positive for the novel virus and have been asked to isolate themselves.

The Adelaide Strikers are the only team in the BBL yet to have a COVID-19 positive case so far.

About the author

Ankush is a cricket journalist at Sportskeeda covering news, listicles, features, and exclusives. A graduate in Commerce and an accountant by qualification, Ankush followed his true calling for sports journalism, and today, has over 8 years of experience having working for the likes of Sportzwiki and Cricfit. Ankush places a very high emphasis on factual accuracy in his articles and believes in representing the true image of the story. Writing in the simplest and most easy-to-understand language possible, especially for those not well-versed with English, is one of his strengths.

Ankush, who captained his state in the National School games, is a big fan of Ravichandran Ashwin. He admires his unconventional thinking and his eagerness to keep learning despite being a legend of the game. His favorite cricket team is Australia because of their mentality and fighting spirit, and them beating India in the 2003 World Cup final left a lasting impression on him.

Apart from watching and covering cricket, Ankush also likes to read books whenever possible.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar