Cricket Australia will shift the opening fortnight of the Women's Big Bash to Tasmania to counter COVID-19 outbreaks and put players at ease following weeks of stress.
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The first 20 matches of the tournament will be played in Hobart and Launceston, with three other games scheduled for the opening fortnight pushed back to later in the competition.
Officials will steer clear of Bellerive Oval from November 20, leaving the door open for a one-off men's Test between Australia and Afghanistan to go ahead.
It seems inevitable most players will spend the majority of the season on the road given COVID-19 outbreaks in Sydney and Melbourne, which host four of the competition's eight teams.
Canberra-based Adelaide Strikers all-rounder Maddie Penna admits she has been worried about the prospect of having to relocate interstate and quarantine at the drop of a hat.
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"I have actually been very stressed for the last few weeks, not knowing when I have to pack up and leave," Penna said.
"I'm in Canberra at the moment. Unfortunately a few weeks ago I was in quarantine, I came out for a week and then Canberra went into lockdown.
"I've basically been stuck in my house for almost two months which is not ideal. We're lucky enough and fortunate enough to be able to train in line with the ACT government rules and regulations. I've been catching up on a lot of movies and Netflix."
Penna has signed a three-year deal with the Strikers in a rousing endorsement of her credentials as one of Australia's brightest young stars.
"I was honestly just hoping to sign for another year," Penna said.
"I obviously loved last year and loved playing with the girls. I was just hoping for a year, and hearing they wanted to sign me for another two more on top of that, I was stoked.
"It's a nice feeling, it takes a little bit of the pressure off and allows me just to play my game and not have to worry about trying to pick up a contract."
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