Manuka Oval will host two Big Bash finals this weekend with the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder set to host matches in Canberra.
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Cricket ACT is preparing Manuka Oval for a double-header on Saturday and Sunday after the final round of the regular season finalised the play-off schedule.
The Thunder, who have spent the majority of this season based in Canberra, have locked up third spot which gives them hosting rights in Sunday's 'knockout' final against the winner of the fourth-versus-fifth clash scheduled for Friday.
The Sixers looked finished on top of the league, meaning they host the Perth Scorchers in Saturday's grand final qualifier.
Manuka Oval has already hosted a season-high 10 fixtures this season.
With no Big Bash fixtures in Sydney this summer, Canberra has become a perfect alternative to host fixtures.
The Thunder have called it their home for long stretches of the tournament. Meanwhile the Sixers recently notched two wins in the capital including an impressive effort last weekend over the Peth Scorchers - the team they'll play in this week's qualifier for the final.
Ground staff at Manuka Oval have been on stand by since the most recent match at the venue on January 18, ready to be called into action at a moment's notice.
That moment will likely come on Wednesday, if not late Tuesday night once the final Big Bash table is settled.
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For the Thunder it would mean a third stint in what's become known as their home away from home in a year where they've been locked out of Sydney.
"We'd love to get some finals out at Sydney Olympic Park," captain Callum Ferguson said.
"Our fans are desperate for us and we're desperate for it, we'd love to see them out there we get great support, it's a sea of green out there.
"If it's not there then we'd love to get to Manuka I think, we get really well supported there, it's a second home for us."
The Thunder have been in Adelaide for the past week, but will depart on Wednesday once the finals fixtures have been finalised.
Their cross-town rivals went to Adelaide after their stint in Canberra, but have played their last two matches at the MCG - a venue which still remains a strong possibility to host the Big Bash final.
An all-Sydney final is still on the cards but would require the Sixers to beat the Scorchers in Saturday's qualifier. Should that happen, Cricket Australia may well look at staging the match in Sydney.
All up Manuka Oval has hosted a staggering 12 games of cricket this summer, including two internationals between Australia and India which proceeded the bank of Big Bash games.
Thunder quick Adam Milne said the capital had been a superb alternative home for his side.
"If we do get the opportunity to play [a final] in Canberra, that's a real bonus for us," Milne said.
"Having played there and done well there, our batters know the ground really well and have put on some really big totals there. I'm sure they'll be excited to get back there if that's where we end up.
"The hotel's been nice and there's been a couple of cafes that a few of us have gone to around the ground."
BIG BASH FINALS
Friday: Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba, 7.15pm
Saturday: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers at Manuka Oval, 7.15pm
Sunday: Sydney Thunder v Heat or Strikers at Manuka Oval, 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.
