The Bushfire Cricket charity game featuring some of the biggest names in the sport won’t go ahead in Sydney but will instead be played on Sunday at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.
Cricket Australia (CA) released a statement last night confirming the fixture won’t be played as a curtain-raiser to the Big Bash final at the Sydney Cricket ground with heavy rain forecast.
The CA website reported that alternatives for the much-anticipated clash were being looked at, and now it’s been decided that the match will officially be played alongside the Australian women’s team and their tri-series match against England.
It’s created a tricky situation and logistical nightmare for all involved in the event. The Big Bash final sold out quickly and the extra drawcard of seeing former star cricketers like Brian Lara, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne in action was one of the key factors.
This afternoon CA confirmed the changes mean some players now won’t be playing.
“Adam Gilchrist takes over the captaincy from Shane Warne, who has prior commitments that have ruled him out of featuring in the game,” the website states.
Sadly, the reschedule means former Australia captain Michael Clarke and batsman Michael Hussey as well as a number of the female stars who had been set to play join Warne in being unable to play due to prior commitments.”
Channel Seven and Fox Sports had planned to cover the event and that should still take place judging by the statement.
“With broadcasters already committed to screening the Tri-Series between Australia, England and India from Junction Oval, with games at the venue Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend, the MCG was ruled out as a possible venue.”
Players still expected to play in the Charity Bushfire match – Sunday February 9, 3:15pm AEDT at Junction Oval
Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Brad Fittler, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Brian Lara, Dan Christian, Nick Riewoldt, Justin Langer, Luke Hodge, Matthew Hayden, Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh, Courtney Walsh (new addition)
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
I don't mind the non-cricketers playing. I reckon Hodge and Reiwoldt will handle themselves OK, not so sure about Fittler given his age.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
The BoM forecast has been pretty firm on rain over the weekend. It has already started and the radar shows a lot more on the way.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
I imagine ticket sales are a small part of their fundraising target. There will be donation appeals running throughout the match, so the reduced TV audience is more of a problem.
Nathan
Guest
What I don't understand is how they are going to raise any money from this game, its going to be played at Junction Oval which has a capacity of 7,000 and the tickets are selling for $15. At most that's $105,000 presuming its a sell out and all tickets are purchased at adult rate. (which obviously wont happen) Compare that with the SCG the tickets were approximately $50 each (adults) selling about 40,000 results in $2,000,000 which is 20x the amount!!! I know they can't control the weather but raising $100,000 from the game is practically nothing. Wouldn't they be better playing it next week at the MCG, SCG or Marvel Stadium. Getting 30,000 at $30 a ticket, (which will get you to just under $1mil). This just doesn't make sense.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Agreed. "Enough already of Fatty's ****ing catch." Its a charity game, and unlike the AFL exhibition match its not marketing itself as something it isn't. As such, I'm not too fussed about a couple of non-cricket names in there. I would prefer it to be just cricketers, but this is fine too. Juction Oval is a bit of a disappopintment though, a downgrade of maybe 40k ticket sales to about 10k. Normally that wouldn't be an issue, but this game is actually suppsoed to be aboutnthe money (as opposed to everything else CA does, which is supposed to be about cricket but is actually about money).
Flexis
Roar Rookie
If you factor in post retirement waistlines they could well do more damage than a 50 over game ;)
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
So what happens if it doesn't rain? Will refunds be offered to all the punters who bought tickets for the final because of this charity match? It is meant to be raining this morning in the Sydney CBD... not a drop so far. And while I'm at it... how much damage could the stars of yesteryear really have done to the field? How is that different to the 50 over game being played instead of a 20/20? It all just does not add up.
McBumbler
Guest
Thank you for the clarification I was confused until now In regard to the players, do we really need washed up NRL and AFL players in the mix? Granted Fatty Vautins catch years ago was the greatest ever but I would prefer seeing some other ex players than the non cricket people mentioned. BBL needs a reserve day; might as well hand the trophy to the Sixers now. A foregone coneclusion based on the rain predicted.