Tonight's Strikers-Thunder match at Adelaide Oval to proceed as scheduled despite four Thunder players confirmed COVID-positive, while Melbourne Stars report 15 cases
BBL's NYE match to go ahead, clubs grapple with COVID
The annual New Year's Eve match at Adelaide Oval has been approved to proceed as scheduled after urgent talks between Cricket Australia and South Australia Health officials after an outbreak in the camp of the visiting Sydney Thunder.
The Thunder, who reported four cases amongst players, will still play against the Strikers in Adelaide tonight, while the Melbourne Stars are facing an anxious wait after they reported 15 cases amongst their players and support staff, with their next match at St Kilda's Junction Oval against the Perth Scorchers on January 2.
The four Thunder players are isolating but the BBL said in a statement the remainder of the squad have returned negative PCR tests and were able to play.
Additional safeguards will be in place to protect both teams, match officials, fans and the wider community tonight, agreed between the BBL, the two clubs and SA Health.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said: "Firstly, our thoughts go to everyone in the community affected by the spread of COVID-19 in recent weeks, including members of our Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder squads.
"We thank the Strikers, Thunder and SA Health for their hard work today to ensure this match can proceed.
"We will continue to work closely with our Clubs, relevant governments, broadcasters, partners and venues to ensure the season continues safely and successfully throughout January."
The news comes after Thursday night's clash between the Stars and Perth Scorchers was postponed because a Stars staffer tested positive for COVID-19.
And earlier today Australia batsman Travis Head was confirmed as a COVID-positive case after a routine PCR test, and will now miss the New Year's Test in Sydney. Four of England's support staff, including head coach Chris Silverwood, and their families have also returned positive tests for COVID-19, and will also miss the Sydney match, as will ICC match referee and former Australia Test star David Boon.
The Stars have revealed seven players and eight staff members now have the virus, casting extreme doubt on whether their upcoming games will take place as scheduled.
Glenn Maxwell's side are slated to face Perth in Melbourne on Sunday then tackle the Renegades on Monday, an MCG match that would ordinarily attract one of the biggest crowds of the regular season.
But the Stars' contingent with coronavirus have started a seven-day stint in isolation, as per government guidelines.
"First and foremost, we wish everyone affected by this outbreak a quick and speedy recovery," said Stars general manager Blair Crouch.
"The health and safety of our players and staff will continue to be our priority, especially with the challenges the new Omicron variant presents.
"We are providing all the support we can to players, staff and their families. I'd like to thank the medical teams at both Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia for their ongoing guidance and support."
CA had largely been able to chart a path around the COVID-19 pandemic prior to Thursday's postponement.
CA is keen to stage as many BBL games as possible in the school-holiday period, and ensure that the season wraps up on January 28.
Elsewhere, Melbourne Renegades have been forced to omit James Pattinson from their 15-man squad for Saturday's game against Hobart.
Pattinson is awaiting the outcome of a PCR test.
The Stars' players who tested negative on Thursday will be tested again on Saturday.