BBL 2020-21 set to clash with India’s tour of Australia

The 10th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) is scheduled to get underway on December 3 with the match between Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades at the Adelaide Oval. However, as per the BBL schedule released by Cricket Australia (CA), the tournament will coincide with India’s tour of Australia later this year, scheduled to start on December 3 itself.

The BBL will start shortly after the end of the first day’s play of the opening Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. The final of the T20 league will be played on February 6. The men’s BBL will consist of 61 matches with the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) to be played from October 17 to November 29.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic may yet force alterations to the summer of cricket, today’s announcement confirms the commitment to a full 61-game schedule, including the return of the five-team finals format,” the CA was quoted as saying in a statement on its website, reported by The Times of India (TOI).

Cricket Australia wants to be vigilant to the COVID-19 situation

The BBL will be taking a five-day break from December 11 to 15 when India play the Day-Night Test in Adelaide. The third and fourth Test is scheduled to start on December 26 and January 3 respectively. However, all of it depends on how the situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic is.

Cricket Australia Head of Big Bash Leagues Alistair Dobson said that the coronavirus pandemic remains to be a massive challenge. He stated that the scenario will be monitored carefully. Thus far, Australia has reported over 9,000 coronavirus positive cases thus far.

“…we must remain vigilant and agile in responding to the COVID-19 situation as it develops and we will continue to work with all relevant federal and state government agencies, biosecurity experts, venues, clubs, players, broadcast partners and our own internal teams to ensure a safe and successful summer,” Dobson said.

“We’ll continue to act in accordance with public health advice and government protocols to ensure the safety of the public, players and support staff,” he added.

Australia is also set to host the T20 World Cup from the mid of October. Though the International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to take a call on it, chances of the event taking place doesn’t look good.