Weekend WBBL fixture in chaos as Tasmania dives into a three-day lockdown
Tasmania's plunge into a three-day lockdown has thrown the Women's Big Bash League fixture into chaos just one game into the tournament.
Tasmania premier Peter Gutwein has announced the state will enter a lockdown spanning from 6pm tonight until 6pm on Monday.
The league, which began on Thursday night, relocated all Victoria and NSW-based players to Hobart last month in a bid to sidestep lockdowns. All players, staff and match officials had to undertake two weeks of hotel quarantine.
Tasmania's dive into a three-day lockdown has thrown the four WBBL matches scheduled for this weekend into major doubt.
The Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes are scheduled to meet at Bellerive Oval on Saturday afternoon, before the Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers square off at the same venue on Saturday night.
The Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat are then fixtured to do battle at Bellerive Oval on Sunday morning, before the Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers clash at the same ground on Sunday afternoon.
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"The Women's Big Bash League acknowledges the decision of the Tasmanian government to call a three-day lockdown in the interests of public health," a WBBL statement reads.
Tasmania's plunge into a three-day lockdown has thrown the Women's Big Bash League into a spin. Getty
"The health and safety of our players, staff, match officials and partners, along with that of the wider community, remain our top priorities.
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"We are currently working with the Tasmanian government on options for the upcoming WBBL|07 matches at Blundstone Arena, Hobart this weekend.
"All players, staff and match officials in Tasmania for the WBBL have received COVID-19 vaccinations and received the required negative COVID-19 test results. All are currently participating in training at Blundstone Arena or at team hotels.
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"The league will provide further updates in due course."
In the opening game of the WBBL season, the Sixers defeated the Melbourne Stars by six wickets at Bellerive Oval on Thursday night.
Alyssa Healy led the Sixers' run chase superbly, blasting 57 runs from just 27 deliveries.
