Monday's Big Bash blockbuster at a full-capacity Manuka Oval marks the largest step yet in Canberra's quest to shake the long-lingering shackles of a lengthy COVID lockdown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Sydney Thunder-Brisbane Heat clash allows the capital to take a major stride in returning to a summer sporting norm, as the ACT's biggest stadium event since the Raiders hosted the Gold Coast Titans in early July.
It caps a huge weekend return to elite sport for Canberra. Vicki Linton's Canberra United kicked off its A-League Women's campaign at Viking Park on Friday night against Melbourne City, while the Canberra Capitals open their WNBL season on Sunday taking on the Sydney Uni Flames in the Harbour City.
"Live sporting events play such a critical role in our community, not only economically, and that's a really important factor, but socially," Cricket ACT chief Olivia Thornton said.
"I can't wait to have people back in the stands watching the action from a seat as opposed to a seat behind a screen. We had such a fantastic Big Bash campaign last year and just the smiles on people's faces and the commentary post those games was really special.
"To be able to have that opportunity again I think is a really important one. It's our first large-scale sporting event since July - hopefully the weather gods are good to us."
Canberra missed out on the back end of the Raiders' season earlier this year when the NRL relocated to south-east Queensland.
Barely a month later the capital was plunged into lockdown, from which it didn't emerge until mid-October. That lockdown cost Canberra two state cricket fixtures which were to be played at Manuka Oval.
The Prime Minister's XI, which was set to be played against Afghanistan around the fledgling cricket nation's historic Test against Australia, also fell by the wayside when that match was postponed in the wake of the Taliban reclaiming control in the troubled Asian country.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Fans have been strongly encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets before arriving at the venue on Monday.
Tickets can still be purchased at the venue, but there will be no box-office transactions. Sales staff will instead direct spectators to purchase a ticket on their phones.
Otherwise, COVID restrictions will be significantly eased compared with last summer, when there were still crowd restrictions as Canberra hosted a staggering 13 Big Bash fixtures during the pandemic.
Brisbane ended the Thunder's Big Bash charge in Canberra last season, romping to a seven-wicket victory in the knockout semi-final.
Trevor Bayliss has since replaced Shane Bond as Thunder coach, while last season's captain Callum Ferguson was cut from the side at the end of the summer.
Usman Khawaja was set to captain the Thunder this season, but has been called into Australia's 15-man Ashes squad for Wednesday's opening Test at the Gabba.
The Thunder arrived in Canberra on Friday afternoon, and are expected to name their captain on Saturday.
Ex-Australian paceman Chris Tremain said his side couldn't wait for their return to Manuka Oval.
"We're fortunate we've got a really good base of fans in Canberra, it is a home away from home and we can make it our little Colosseum if we need be," Tremain said.
"We actually enjoy playing at Canberra, we always have and we've always gone pretty well there. It's a nice place to play and it's a nice place to be.
"If you've not had any live sport there for a while I can only imagine people are chomping at the bit to get there."
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.
