Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Boxing Day Smash highlights Thunder BBL|11 fixture announcement
Sydney Thunder will host cross-town rival Sydney Sixers in a marquee KFC Big Bash League match on Boxing Day at their spiritual home, Sydney Showground Stadium, marking the summer’s biggest day of cricket.
The huge clash will follow the traditional first day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the MCG and is one of five games at Showground in December (12, 26) and January (2, 13, 19), with the Thunder’s remaining two ‘home’ games taking place at Manuka Oval in Canberra on December 6 and 28.
The first Manuka Oval fixture is the Thunder’s season opener against the Brisbane Heat, while the second Sydney Smash is at the SCG on January 15.
The fixtures were announced as the BBL signalled its intention to return to a full 61-game home and away schedule this summer, allowing fans to watch their favourite clubs at their traditional homes should public health conditions allow.
The season will culminate with the Final on Friday, January 28, ensuring an action-packed summer holidays featuring stars from across Australia and around the world.
Incoming Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss hopes the announcement will brighten the spirits of cricket fans during this challenging time.
“Things are tough for a lot of people at the moment but hopefully this fixture announcement gives our fans something to look forward to,” Bayliss said.
“The players are back in training and now we have a day to look forward to for our BBL season to start.
“I hope that the Thunder Nation fans are as excited for the season as I am. As a team we are really looking forward to coming back to our spiritual home at Sydney Showground Stadium, as well as playing a few games at our second home in Canberra.”
Additionally, the League has today lifted the KFC BBL contracting embargo. Clubs will now be able to complete their lists for the season, including securing the signatures of up to three international players in their 18-player squads.
In all, 45 KFC BBL|11 matches will be broadcast on Seven, with all 61 matches to be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo. SEN will also broadcast KFC BBL|11 matches nationwide.
The League will continue to monitor the public health situation throughout the summer and prioritise the health and safety of fans, players, staff and officials in all its decisions.
Further information regarding Memberships and Tickets will be released shortly.
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Sydney Thunder BBL|11 Fixtures (All AEDT Start Times)
Mon 6 Dec | Vs Brisbane Heat | 7:15pm | Manuka Oval
Fri 10 Dec | Vs Melbourne Stars | 7:15pm | MCG
Sun 12 Dec | Vs Melbourne Stars | 7:15pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Sun 19 Dec | Vs Brisbane Heat | 7:40pm | Gabba
Sun 26 Dec | Vs Sydney Sixers | 6:05pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Tues 28 Dec | Vs Perth Scorchers | 7:15pm | Manuka Oval
Fri 31 Dec | Vs Adelaide Strikers | 7:15pm | Adelaide Oval
Sun 2 Jan | Vs Adelaide Strikers | 7:15pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Wed 5 Jan | Vs Perth Scorchers | 9:15pm | Optus Stadium
Sat 8 Jan | Vs Melbourne Renegades | 6:05pm | Marvel Stadium
Mon 10 Jan | Vs Hobart Hurricanes | 7:15pm | University of Tasmania Stadium
Thurs 13 Jan | Vs Hobart Hurricanes | 4:00pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Sat 15 Jan | Vs Brisbane Heat | 7:40pm | SCG
Wed 19 Jan | Vs Melbourne Renegades | 4:40pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
Click here to sync the fixtures to your e-cal.
Name of Author: Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder is an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at Sydney Showground Stadium, the Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.