Could Manuka really be in store for yet another Big Bash final this season?
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The answer is a firm yes, but most likely it won't be the BBL final. Next Saturday's decider will be played either at Optus Stadium in Perth, or, if Cricket Australia get their wish, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
But much water needs to pass under the bridge until we get there, and several possible permutations abound.
Saturday's victor between the Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers win hosting rights for the decider. Should the Scorchers win, that match will simply be played in Perth in front of 30,000 fans.
That would also mean the Sixers are thrust into Thursday's sudden death preliminary final, to which they would have hosting rights.
But it can't be played in Sydney, due to the fact the winner would then need to travel to Western Australia and as it stands, NSW visitors to WA are still required to quarantine for two weeks.
Therefore, Manuka Oval once again becomes CA's ever reliable alternative.
If the top-of-the-table Sixers take the cake this weekend at Manuka, then they won't need to host the preliminary final. In that situation, Perth would have hosting rights and Manuka would no longer be required.
And as for a Sixers-hosted final on Saturday? Well all of a sudden the SCG potentially opens up, given it's the final match of the tournament and the BBL bubble will burst at its conclusion.
Assuming there are no virus flare-ups in Sydney over the course of the next week, CA may well, at long last, find a way into the Harbour City which has been off limits all summer.
That would increase the crowd capacity and reward Sydney-based fans for their patience after being starved of Big Bash cricket all summer, despite the success of both the Sixers and Thunder.
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Let's not forget there's still every possibility the decider could be between both Sydney clubs - but that would require the Sixers to down the Scorchers on Saturday, and the Thunder to win two straight finals.
Meanwhile, Canberra's festival of cricket this summer has coincided with an increase in participation, despite the effect of COVID-19 on sport across the country.
There are five more junior teams in the ACT this season bumping the number of teams to 190, alongside a 10 per cent bump in senior players.
Junior cricket returns to action this weekend.
"Hopefully they can get out there, whack a few sixes and then come and watch us in the afternoon," Thunder young gun Ollie Davies said.
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.
