COVID-19 has changed the scheduling of a number of sporting seasons this year. Season six of the AFLW and season four of the NRLW have both been pushed back to next year. A number of FFA Cup games and cricket’s the Marsh Sheffield Shield, Marsh One-Day Cup and the Women’s National Cricket League have all been postponed.
COVID-19 restrictions in both New South Wales and Victoria meant that the first 20 games of the WBBL|07 were going to be impacted. Therefore, for the second year in a row, the WBBL will start their season in a centralized hub.
Like the change to the Sydney hub for the beginning of the WBBL|06, the Women’s Big Bash League has been able to once again to rescue their season debut. The announcement was made this week, just under a month from the start date, that the beginning of the WBBL|07 will going to take place in Tasmania.
Three venues have been chosen to host this temporary competition hub. Blundstone Arena, also known as the Belleville Oval, which is the regular ground for the Hobart Hurricanes will be one of those venues. Invermay Park and the University of Tasmania in Launceston will also be used.
All eight teams will arrive for the October 14 season and at present are to remain for the first two weeks of the season. Teams from Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra will have to arrive in advance to quarantine for a fortnight.
With this change it means that the first 20 of the total 59 matches scheduled for WBBL07 should take place in Tasmania. Despite this change there should be no need for modifications to the broadcasting schedule.
Of the 59 encounters in the WBBL 07, 47 games will be televised. 23 of those will be on Foxtel and Kayo Sports while 24 will be available free-to-air on Seven and simulcast on Foxtel. This increase in broadcasting means that only 12 games will be streamed. As in previous years they will be free on cricket.com.au.
While these are the only changes made so far, cricket.com.au has stated that this does not mean that the current fixture arrangement is finalized. The league will continue to monitor state border restrictions and public health conditions and try to alter their current plans in the event they are forced to make further changes.
The current released broadcasting schedule is as follows:
We’ve got more games on TV than ever before and we’re returning to some of our favourite venues across Australia ?
Here’s your #WBBL07 fixture! pic.twitter.com/yFeL68dtqN
— Weber Women’s Big Bash League (@WBBL) July 8, 2021
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