Cricket Australia has successfully applied for a crowd cap increase for this weekend's Big Bash playoffs at Manuka Oval, while Canberra is on standby to host next week's final should the Sixers earn hosting rights and Sydney is still not a viable option.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The winner of Saturday's clash in Canberra between the Sixers and Perth Scorchers will earn hosting rights in next week's decider.
League officials remain hopeful the SCG would be used should the Sixers win through, but if CA opts to continue avoiding Sydney, Manuka Oval will once again be called into the fray.
Manuka will host back-to-back finals this weekend in front of a 75 per cent crowd capacity, which bumps the capacity to almost 7000 fans.
This weekend's games will be the 11th and 12th BBL matches hosted in the capital this season. The Sydney Thunder will play either Brisbane or Adelaide on Sunday, 24 hours after the Sixers-Scorchers blockbuster. Big Bash chief Alistair Dobson described Manuka this week as the 'backbone' of this season's competition, and said there still may be more to come in Canberra's epic Big Bash summer.
"If we can't get to Sydney and potentially end up playing that game [a potential home final for the Sixers] in Canberra as well then that'd be equally a phenomenal culmination given the role Canberra has played this season in the BBL," Dobson said.
"The SCG is certainly something we'll consider, there are border restrictions and considerations at the moment that do make that challenging but we'll monitor that over the next few days closely with the clubs and key stakeholders.
"If that game can be played at the SCG I think that would create a great end to the season for the Sixers who have been on the road the whole time.
"All those options are still available to us and being contemplated. It will take the next three or four days to assess the most appropriate locations."
MORE CANBERRA CRICKET
If Perth prevail against the Sixers, the Big Bash final is set to be held at Optus Stadium in Perth next Saturday.
That would still mean a home final for the Sixers, either at the SCG or Manuka to be played next Thursday and possibly against the cross-town Thunder who have already played seven matches in Canberra this season.
Along with the crowd increase, spectators will also be allowed to populate the front two rows at Manuka this weekend while tickets will be on sale up until 2pm on gameday, pending availability.
"If the Sixers can get a game away in Sydney I'm sure they would love to, but we'd be more than ready and more than willing to be available for the final," Venues Canberra chief Matthew Elkins said.
"It's been really pleasing to see it host some pretty important matches this season on really short notice."
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.
