The Big Bash League on Thursday announced the fixture for the upcoming 12th edition of the tournament, which will kick off on December 13 with a clash between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars.
The tournamnet opener will be held at at the Manuka Oval and the final will take place on February 4.
In a statement, Cricket Australia (CA) said that they are prioritizing the return of spectators to grounds after two Covid-19 hit years.
The upcoming season will witness the comebackof its “traditional” mid-December start date and a full seven-match home schedule for each of the eight clubs following two seasons heavily impacted by border restrictions.
“The BBL 12 season is setting up to have everything we love about the Big Bash – great players, full stadiums of home fans and the best nights of entertainment anywhere this summer,” Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said.
“This schedule provides the platform for that, with a mix of world-class stadiums and regional venues, opportunities for player participation and all the marquee games that our fans love,” he added, with spectators able to witness seven home matches this season. “This, combined with other exciting developments in including the BBL 12 Draft for overseas players, make us incredibly excited for the season ahead.”
The schedule also includes minimal overlap with men’s and women’s international cricket, providing a fan-friendly viewing schedule and opportunities for players to take part in the BBL,” a CA statement said.