Photo Credit: Melbourne Stars
We spoke to Stars General Manager Nick Cummins to answer some of your questions related to today’s fixture announcement.
Will COVID19 impact the W/BBL season?
We acknowledge that there may be factors outside our control which could still impact these fixtures at a later date. We’ll be guided by Government and health authorities and the structure of the WBBL and BBL fixtures will provide some extra flexibility if required.
Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @BigBashGM
Why are there only two Melbourne Stars WBBL matches scheduled in Melbourne?
The disruption wrought by COVID19 in Melbourne has meant that we have had to minimise the amount of cricket played in Victoria, and play it as late as possible in the season.
A silver lining is that the new structure has allowed more matches to be broadcast on television, meaning Stars fans will still be able to watch their team.
Why does the BBL|10 season start so early this summer?
As with every year, there are a number of international cricket commitments over the summer that need to be balanced with the BBL fixture, which means that our fixture could have run late into February. However, our fans have made it clear that they would prefer the home and away season to be completed before the new school year starts. Consequently, we’ve opted for an earlier start, rather than a later finish.
Why is the Melbourne Stars BBL team not playing in Moe this season?
With the wider changes to the BBL|10 fixture, it unfortunately wasn’t feasible for the Stars to return to Moe (or another Victorian regional location) this summer. Each season provides new opportunities, and we’ll be sure to investigate the ability to play regionally again in the future.
Why is the Melbourne Stars BBL team playing a home game at the CitiPower Centre (Junction Oval)?
With the MCG unavailable due to Boxing Day Test preparations, and a regional home match not feasible this season, we’ll be taking the fun and excitement of a Stars BBL home game to the CitiPower Centre which will allow our members to get up close and personal with their favourite Stars players.
We’re excited by this opportunity to play a Sunday afternoon match at the CitiPower Centre.
It’s going to be a high demand game, and our Members will be given priority access.
Further details in regards to member access for this game will be announced when Stars memberships go on sale on 7 September.
Why are the Melbourne Stars BBL team playing a home fixture on the Gold Coast again this season at Metricon Stadium?
Metricon Stadium has become our home-away-from-home for three seasons now, with our first home game on the Gold Coast against the Sydney Thunder back in BBL|08. With every season, the challenge of navigating around the Boxing Day Test at the MCG presents challenges for our Club, but we’re looking forward to returning to Metricon Stadium on 30 December to take on the Perth Scorchers.
Click here to view the Stars WBBL|06 and BBL|10 Fixtures
Name of Author: Melbourne Stars
Melbourne Stars are a Twenty20 cricket franchise based in Melbourne, Victoria, competing in Australia’s Big Bash League. The team wears a green uniform and plays its home matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
