Manuka Oval will play host to two Sydney Thunder KFC Big Bash League (BBL) matches in the 2020-21 season, bringing the Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat to the Nation’s Capital.
The fixture for both the BBL and Women’s Big Bash League were released today, Wednesday 15 July, with the first WBBL match set to kick off the season from 17 October.
Sydney Thunder will begin its season in a clash against the Melbourne Stars on 5 December, however, will not play their first game in the ACT until 5 January.
Thunder captain Callum Ferguson said he was looking forward to being back playing in front of a Canberra crowd.
“We have a great following in Canberra, they’ve really accepted us as their own,” said Ferguson.
“We’ve played some amazing cricket at Manuka Oval and had a lot of success, so hopefully we can keep up some of the good form we’ve had there over the years.”
The team will return for their second match against the Brisbane Heat on 13 January.
Uncertainty has surrounded the upcoming cricket season due to COVID-19 restrictions, however Ferguson said the players were keen to get back to the pitch.
“We’ve been training for a while with our home states but not really knowing what the summer will look like. I can’t wait to get back into it with the Thunder guys and continue the momentum we had at the end of last season,” he said.
“I hope that the fans will be looking forward to the season as much as we are. It’s been a really tough time for a lot of people so hopefully it gives our fans something to look forward to and get excited about.”
In an announcement that has been welcomed by fans, this season of BBL will run for longer than the usual nine-week format.
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