Big Bash cricket is coming to to the nation’s capital this summer.
The ACT Government has partnered with Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW to bring both the men’s and women’s team from the Sydney Thunder to play a regular season match against the Melbourne Renegades on Wednesday 24 January 2018 at Manuka Oval.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry said the Government was keen to work with Cricket Australia to ensure that there would be first class cricket at Manuka Oval this summer.
“It’s great to have both the popular BBL and the WBBL coming to Canberra to entertain local cricket fans,” she said.
She said the ACT would host its first Test cricket match in the 2018-19 summer, and having the 20-20 BBL and the WBBL in Canberra this summer was an ideal lead-up.
“It’s also great to have the Sydney Thunder women’s team play the Melbourne Renegades as part of a double header at Manuka Oval,” she said.
“I thank Cricket Australia, Cricket NSW and Cricket ACT for working with the Government to bring these matches to Canberra and I’m confident they will be a big success.”
She said the Government had demonstrated success hosting the Cricket World Cup, the Big Bash Final and regular international matches in the past, and was excited to bring the Big Bash League back to Canberra.
The BBL said Canberra would become the 10th city to host a Big Bash League (BBL) match.
The game in Canberra will be the competition’s first visit to the nation’s capital since the 2014-15 final.
“This is designed to drive cricket’s strategy to ultimately continue to be Australia’s favourite sport and a sport for all Australians,” Cricket Australia events and leagues manager Anthony Everard said.
“A club-by-club approach has been taken to determine the most appropriate location to host this additional fixture, taking into account aspects including existing contractual obligations, participation and fan growth opportunities, and venue infrastructure.”
The BBL is considering the possible expansion of the league into regional centres in coming years.
Sydney Thunder General Manager Lee Germon said the club’s footprint in the area would be further strengthened by taking both BBL and WBBL action to the ACT and Regional NSW.
“I’m very excited about hosting a match at Manuka Oval,” said Sydney Thunder General Manager Lee Germon.
“ACT and regional NSW has been a focus and a key Thunder market since the inception of the club, with a large number of community initiatives already being held in the region.
“The opportunity to maintain the four BBL matches at Spotless Stadium while also taking a match to Canberra means we can continue to provide Thunder Big Bash matches to our loyal Spotless fans and also bring the Thunder match experience to our ACT community.
“It goes without saying that this match would not be possible without the support of the ACT Government, Visit Canberra and Cricket Australia.”
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr believes the fixtures would provide another example of the region’s passion for major sporting events.
“Our investment to bring world class cricket to Canberra on a regular basis has been well received by the community, and we were keen to ensure that Canberrans had an opportunity this summer to come out to Manuka Oval to watch some of the best cricket stars in the world,” he said.
Tickets go on sale today, Monday 16 October.
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