Cricket Australia has announced that the 2014/15 Big Bash League will play its final game at Canberra’s Manuka Oval, ensuring a neutral venue hosts the championship game for the first time in the tournament’s four-year history.
The decision has been met with negativity on social media, with people saying Canberra’s lack of a team will lead to a lack of interest.
I cannot see the reasoning behind moving the game to a neutral oval with only a capacity of 13,550.
The final could be played in front of a small crowd should Perth, who had hosted the previous three finals, once again make the final game. Should a Sydney or Melbourne side fail to qualify, it could be a disaster.
I could understand the neutral venue should the home side have dominated the finals, however the aforementioned Perth Scorchers have won one of the three finals they have hosted.
The only way I can see a big crowd in attendance is if a Melbourne side players a Sydney side. This would play on the interstate rivalry and offer bragging rights in the nation’s capital.
Otherwise the competition, still in its infancy, would not attract the guaranteed sellout the AFL does for its all interstate grand final. Fans of the AFL are so entrenched that they would travel from the North Pole to the MCG to see their side contest the flag.
I just don’t see fans of the Hurricanes, Scorchers, Strikers or Heat jumping on a plane in their thousands to attend a final. I hope I am wrong, as I am a huge fan of the BBL.
The competition is set for a shot in the arm in the form of South African superstar Jacques Kallis’ arrival to the struggling Sydney Thunder, which should see them be far more competitive this season.
With a neutral final, which could be played in front of a largely neutral fan-base, I hope the work put in to build interest, including the Kallis signing, is not for naught.
Fans have short memories. Underwhelming support at the final could leave a bad taste in the mouths of fans over an extremely long off-season.
For mine, the highest finishing team should host the final.
Bucko
Guest
Canberra and Gold Coast need Big Bash Teams.
boonboon
Roar Pro
So excited for this - I'll be making the trip up no matter who is playing - great city and look forward to catching up with all my friends over a game of cricket
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Agree about AEST TV scheduling. I actually reckon the people most disappointed by the axing of the WACA for Test grounds this year were people on the east coast. No more Test cricket over dinner. :(
Shouts Chen
Guest
Canberra for the BBL final? That is a lot more expensive to play there. Why not have a final at the WACA or the MCG? Not sure about Etihad or ANZ Stadium but I presume that the attendance will be quite low for a BBL final.
ChrisB
Guest
Well why comment then if it has no interest to you?
Timmuh
Roar Guru
It will be a sell-out, kids will drag their parents along to the T20 show. I'll gladly give it the same disregard I give the whole BBL circus. Having the Shield final here was great though.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Just dumb. Only logical reason is as Damo says but, what is wrong with Etihad? Also games are being played at Manuka so, perhaps it isn't the reasoning. The final is 28th when Manuka have WC game on Feb 18th. If they cannot prepare a Twenty20 pitch in 2 3/7 weeks, then what are they doing? It is only the pitch itself that will be damaged and any divots that can be worked around. Oh dear. When will the CA head honchos just retire and give someone else a go. Surely the worst leading body in any Australian sports code in the country.
formeropenside
Guest
Mostly it was aimed at politicians - public servants are more like the friendly fire victims. If you are a public servant, I sort of apologise, if you are a politician, well, go and do something useful instead.
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
I think that def plays a big role in the decision. Personally I would have held it at Etihad Stadium if they had to pencil in a venue right now. Big venue, big support base, no chance of rain deciding a result. Perfect
Damo
Guest
Might be due to home ground availability issues, for five of the eight BBL teams ? ANZ Stadium hosting the Asian Football Cup, at exactly the same time. The Cricket World Cup having exclusivity over Adelaide, the MCG and the SCG, for a full 21 days prior to its first match on 14 Feb. And the WACA preparing for an ODI two days later, on 30 Jan.
Mark Skinner
Roar Rookie
No
Offfsider
Guest
When did Australians become such a pact of whingers,seriously some people will find anything to complain against.,good luck go ACT and how many people whinging will go to a big bash game this year anyway.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The BBL like so many other sporting events now is tv orientated. Small crowds don't really matter as long as there is a decent tv audience.
mds1970
Roar Guru
ANZ's being used by the Asian Cup soccer at the time. That's why Sydney Thunder are playing two games at Spotless.
spruce moose
Guest
Um, there should be no justification for any match to be played at ANZ. It is an abysmal ground to play cricket, with laughably amateur boundary sizes.
spruce moose
Guest
Hear hear plainsman
MJ
Guest
Manuka will have as much international cricket as Hobart and Perth will this year give or take one or two 20 over games....
Edison Marshall
Roar Pro
Guys the real reason as to why Manuka will host the final is pretty simple, there is so much cricket in Australia this upcoming summer demand for grounds are high, lets forget for a second that not only is there going to be a test series, one day series as well as Sheild cricket all over the country, the ryobi cup in sydney and brisbane and the world cup, too much cricket on any ground leads to poor conditions. The gorundstaff at Manuka have proven themselves time and time again. The use of a neutral ground is also the other major reason. I honestly don't think Stars vs Scorchers at the MCG would get any more than 20,000 anyway. Which at the MCG is essentially dead silence. Manuka Oval and Cricket ACT deserve this opportunity. Every match they've hosted in the past 5 years or so has been a resounding success. As for banking on interstate supporters to travel, you won't need to. Canberra can sell this out on there own. You will bite your tongue come february.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Don't know what he's talking about anyway mate, he's from Queensland.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Maybe but if it is 2 sydney teams, or 2 melbourne teams how do you justify playing it at Manuka instead of ANZ, the SCG or the MCG? What a joke.