When COVID-19 hit the sporting industry, it impacted the fans of various sports including cricket fans as several domestic as well as international tournaments were either cancelled or postponed. But slowly things are returning back as recently England hosted West Indies for the first Test of the three-match series held at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton where the visitors won the 5-day contest by four wickets.
Apart from the international series, now some domestic T20 tournaments will also begin in the coming days. A few days ago, the dates and venues of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 was announced. As per the organizers of the tournament, CPL 2020 is going to take place in Trinidad and Tobago from August 18.
Adding some more joy to the cricket admirers, Cricket Australia (CA) on Wednesday released the fixtures of their popular T20 tournament, the Big Bash League (BBL). According to the schedule, the BBL will kick-off from December 3 with Adelaide Strikers taking on Melbourne Renegades in the tournament opener at the Adelaide Oval.
There's more important things in the world than cricket right now, but here's how we'd love to see the summer of BBL unfold. Stay safe and healthy everyone! #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/yE3tKuAEGp
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) July 15, 2020
Surprisingly, on the same day, India and Australia will also start their Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane. The final of BBL has been set for February 6, 2021.
CA has also announced the fixtures of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The epic tournament is scheduled to start from October 17 at Allan Border Field stadium in Brisbane. Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers will begin the exciting competition. The final will be played on Sunday, November 29.
Here's the #WBBL06 fixture as it currently stands. pic.twitter.com/HvwfDZ3zds
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) July 15, 2020
Alistair Dobson, the head of BBL, said that being able to announce a full fixture amid COVID-19 environment was a “significant achievement”.
“As the BBL approaches its tenth season, the League, our Clubs and our Partners are doing everything possible to ensure that we are set and ready to go for a great Summer of Big Bash,” Dobson said.
“Scheduling in the time of coronavirus is not without its challenges, as we have seen in elite sporting conditions at home and abroad, and there are factors outside the League itself which could impact the fixture at a later date. That said, at this time, we are happy with the fixture as it stands and excited to celebrate a decade of Big Bash with Australian fans during the summer.
“It should ensure that more BBL matches are played in prime time and enable the regular season to again finish inside the school holidays which was a key objective, particularly in light of the busy international schedule planned for the coming summer. We will also be making more announcements in due course about enhancements to the League that we are confident will excite and delight fans across the country,” Dobson added.
