Calling all Canberrans, keep BBL in the capital

It’s time to shine Canberra. Cricket Australia has rewarded your persistence and it’s time to take full advantage.

The decision was made this week that historical Manuka Oval will be hosting the Big Bash League final in February on the basis of having a truly neutral ground, and also to get it away from the West Coast.

Regardless of the motivation, and the surrounding cynicism of the decision, it’s up to Canberrans to embrace this opportunity.

In recent years the city has hosted a few high profile matches with great success. As well as the annual PM’s XI game in the last two years, Manuka Oval has hosted an ODI as well as the 2013/2014 Sheffield Shield final.

It also has a busy summer ahead of it with an ODI between Australia and South Africa and three World Cup games. The oval will also be hosting the ACT Comets in the majority of their home Futures League games as well as games against World Cup participants Afghanistan and Ireland.

So there’s no question Manuka Oval is equipped for the event, but interstate cricket fans don’t think the match will sell out and will lack atmosphere. As usual the national perception of Canberra is way off. Canberrans love to get behind major sporting events and it’s guaranteed this one will be no different.

The ACT doesn’t have the most illustrious sporting history, especially not in the world of cricket. The ACT Comets experiment of the late 1990s was a bit of a flop, however those in the know agree the water is just right and it’s time for the ACT to dip their toes in once again. The obvious answer the entry of a team in the Big Bash League.

A Canberra-based team in the BBL would be a well deserved reward for the time and money Cricket ACT and the ACT Government have poured into growing the sport in Canberra over the last 20 years. Most interstate would be surprised by the wealth of talent that has come out of the ACT in recent times.

They include Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon, Ryan Carters, Jason Behrendorff, Jason Floros, Jono Dean, Blake Dean and Ben Oakley.

While a team made up of purely Canberra-based atheletes is unlikely and potentially quite weak, there’s no doubt a few marquee purchases and smart signings could be the makings of a successful venture.

And that’s why it’s important for all Canberran fans of cricket and sport in general to treat this upcoming summer of international cricket as a chance to prove that Canberra is the home of the next BBL team.