Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
The KFC Big Bash League has confirmed revisions to its Finals series structure, designed to safeguard the matches against the potential impacts of COVID-19.
A five-match Finals series, beginning this Friday, January 21 remains but changes have been made to the hosting structure of those games.
Week One
All three matches scheduled for the first week of the KFC BBL|11 Finals on January 21, 22 and 23 will be held in Melbourne.
Clubs have been primarily based in Victoria since January 10, providing greater optionality in addressing scheduling challenges. The League has elected to keep participants in Melbourne for the first week of the Finals to reduce the health risks associated with travel and any potential impacts on the series.
As the team that finished on top of the table, Perth Scorchers were given the opportunity to select their preferred home venue for The Qualifier and nominated Marvel Stadium for that match. As such, the other week one matches will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The schedule for week one is:
- The Eliminator – January 21, 7:15pm AEDT: Fourth v Fifth, Melbourne Cricket Ground
- The Qualifier – January 22, 7:15pm AEDT: Perth Scorchers (First) v Second, Marvel Stadium
- The Knockout – January 23, 7:15pm AEDT: Third v winner of The Eliminator, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Week Two
The remaining Finals matches, scheduled for January 26 and 28, will be held at the nominated home venues of the participating clubs.
As per the current KFC BBL|11 ladder, teams in contention to host week two matches include:
- Perth Scorchers – Marvel Stadium
- Sydney Sixers – Sydney Cricket Ground
- Sydney Thunder – Sydney Showground Stadium
- Hobart Hurricanes – Blundstone Arena
The schedule for week two is:
- The Challenger – January 26, 7:25pm AEDT: Loser of The Qualifier v winner of The Knockout
- The Final – January 28, 7:40pm AEDT: Winner of The Qualifier v winner of The Challenger
Ticket information for Finals matches will be available shortly via cricket.com.au/big-bash.
All Finals matches will be broadcast live on Seven, Foxtel, Kayo and SEN.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“The KFC BBL|11 Finals series will be an exciting conclusion to a season that has provided fantastic moments on the field, coupled with unprecedented challenges off it.
“The League’s firm belief is that we must work together with our Clubs to do all we can to protect the Finals series using the lessons from the season so far.
“As such, we have made the difficult decision to stage the first week of the Finals series in Melbourne. This decision provides all participating Clubs the best possible chance of participating in a Finals match with the strongest squad available.
Photo Credit: LinkedIn profile photo of Alistair Dobson
“We thank all our fans nationwide for their support throughout KFC BBL|11 and look forward to seeing all who can make it at the Finals series.”
