Blockbuster BBL finals could be played on the Gold Coast and in Canberra due to a venues squeeze caused by a clash with the West Indies Test series.
The Brisbane Heat will host any home finals it earns at Heritage Bank Stadium, while any early finals hosted by the Adelaide Strikers will be played at Manuka Oval before the Adelaide Oval becomes available for the final two matches of the tournament following the first Test.
Australia will play the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval from January 17-21 before the second Test at the Gabba from January 25-29.
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The BBL reverted to a four-team finals structure after including five sides in previous seasons, with the first and second-placed sides to play off in “the qualifier” on January 19 for a spot in the final before the third and fourth-placed teams have a chance to qualify through two knockout games on January 20 and 22.
The final will be held on Wednesday, January 24, with all four post-season games to be played in prime time evening slots, a league statement said on Thursday.
All sides other than the Strikers and Heat will have full access to their primary home venues during the finals series.
BBL general manager Alistair Dobson said the competition was “grateful” to the Manuka Oval and Heritage Bank Stadium management teams for becoming available to host finals games.
“The nature of this season means access to venues is a little tighter than usual, but we’ve been able to work with clubs to find solutions that suit both them and the fans and are grateful for Manuka Oval and Heritage Bank Stadium for making it possible to host finals matches,” he said.
If the undefeated Heat carry on their form and earn the right to a home final, it would be a first BBL playoff game for the Gold Coast venue, which did not receive a BBL game this season but was used frequently during the 2021-22 tournament due to Covid disruptions.
Heat boss Terry Svenson said it was disappointing for the side to be unable to play at the Gabba but called securing Heritage Bank Stadium “a strong outcome”.
“Everyone is very pleased to see the team doing well and while there is still a lot of cricket to be played, it is a strong outcome for us to have the Gold Coast locked in should we be in a position to host a Final,’’ Svenson said.
“It’s disappointing for us that we can’t host a Final at the Gabba, but the complexities of the busy international and domestic schedule this year mean that isn’t possible.
“However as we’ve seen previously, wherever we play, we know Queenslanders will come out to support the Brisbane Heat.”
BBL13 FINALS FIXTURE
The Qualifier: 1st v 2nd, Friday January 19 (Adelaide Oval unavailable)
The Knockout: 3rd v 4th, Saturday January 20 (Adelaide Oval unavailable)
The Challenger: Loser of 1st v 2nd v Winner of 3rd v 4th, Monday January 22
The Final: Winner of 1st v 2nd v Winner of The Challenger, Wednesday January 24
*The Gabba is unavailable for all Brisbane Heat home finals.
