Cricket Australia has confirmed the change in the domestic schedule with the opening round of the 50-over Marsh Cup competition later this week. Because of the Covid-19 lockdown in New South Wales and Victoria and border closures between the states, scheduling headaches continue.
The Marsh Cup Was Scheduled to Begin in Melbourne on Saturday with Victoria Hosting South Australia :
The Marsh Cup was scheduled to begin in Melbourne on Saturday with Victoria hosting South Australia. Earlier defending champions New South Wales traveled to Western Australia in Perth on Sunday. But both the matches have been postponed due to the lockdown and border restrictions on people moving in and out of both states.
Western Australia to Host Marsh Cup Game :
The men’s domestic season will now begin on September 22. When South Australia hosts Western Australia in a Marsh Cup game at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide. Both sides were due to open their Sheffield Shield season on 28 September. But that game has been pushed to start from September 24 at the same venue.
As per the original schedule, Queensland will host Tasmania in the opening Sheffield Shield round on 28 September in Australia at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane. and will play their first Marsh Cup match at the same venue on 3 October.
Those four states are currently open to each other. And can play fixtures without any restrictions. Victoria and New South Wales are still operating with ca. In order to confirm how their seasons will begin with players, coaches, and umpires in each state. who are currently unable to travel interstate without serving the 14-day quarantine.
All Matches to be Played After December 16 :
The CA also confirmed that the women’s domestic schedule has been changed. The WNCL 50-over competition will now be played solely after the completion of WBBL. Seven matches were to be played before the WBBL starting on 14 October. But now all matches are to be played after December 16.
Changes in WBBL fixtures are also likely. However, the tournament will still be played between October and December.
However, the first nine games which were to be played in Sydney. They will need to move into the opening phase of the tournament with Queensland as the most logical host. However, players and teams have expressed their preference for not playing in the Hub. Like he did last year.
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