Canberra's ever-expanding summer of cricket will include a Boxing Day blockbuster as one of six December Big Bash fixtures, while Manuka Oval is ready to host more matches in the new year if required.
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The venue will potentially host more elite cricket than any other Australian ground this summer, should it feature in the second half of the Big Bash draw to be released later this month.
Already on the schedule are two internationals between Australia and India, and now half a dozen BBL matches - five of which will include the capital's adopted Sydney Thunder.
Just one month ago Manuka Oval had no top-line cricket on its 2020-21 bill, given the annual PM's XI has been scrapped due to the global pandemic.
Now it's set to host eight matches in 28 days in the biggest four weeks of cricket ever seen in the ACT, and that could well be extended into the new year.
"It's fair to say there's a strong chance we'll feature in January as well, there's still a bit of movement around border situations which will determine that," Cricket ACT chief James Allsopp said.
"The white ball cricket records at Manuka Oval are the best in the country, the ground has scored the highest of the ICC ratings for the last two years.
"You know you're going to get big scores, you know you're going to get a great atmosphere. The Thunder love playing here, the Thunder have become a real part of the Canberra psyche."
The Thunder host Melbourne Renegades at 6.10pm at Manuka Oval on December 26, which will directly follow stumps on day one of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India. They'll also play the Melbourne Stars twice, the Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat.
Manuka's first BBL match of the summer will be the Stars against the Heat. Those two clubs will join the Thunder in Canberra as part of a mini hub which will allow the competition to be played amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, Renegades, Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers will all begin their BBL summer in a Tasmanian mini-hub. Blundstone Arena will host six fixtures, and the University of Tasmania Stadium has two.
On December 23 Queensland will host its first match of the summer, while Adelaide Oval will be used on December 28.
The remainder of the draw will likely be announced in two weeks with Cricket Australia hopeful more relaxed COVID-19 regulations will allow games to be played in other major cities.
Manuka Oval hasn't hosted any sport since the women's T20 World Cup in February.
"This is great news for us because Canberra is our second home, and I love that the fans have really rallied behind us at Manuka Oval," Thunder captain Callum Ferguson said.
"They always come out in their droves, and I've seen the stadium look like a sea of green on a number of occasions.
"We plan to put on a big show for our fans there over the summer.
"The ground is fantastic, the change rooms and facilities are great, and the atmosphere at the ground is another thing. Add to that the fantastic support we enjoy at Manuka Oval and you'll understand why we love getting whatever opportunity possible to play there."
BIG BASH GAMES AT MANUKA OVAL
December 11: Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat, 7.15pm
December 12: Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder, 4.05pm
December 14: Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat, 7.15pm
December 22: Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers, 7.15pm
December 26: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades, 6.10pm
December 29: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars, 7.15pm
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
