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WBBL hub to stay scalable amid COVID cases

3 minute read

The restrictions placed on WBBL players spending five weeks in a Sydney hub and crowd sizes for the event could change if there is a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Cricket Australia is confident it has built a scalable biosecurity bubble in Sydney that will ensure the WBBL adapts to any potential coronavirus outbreaks.

There has been a recent rise in community transmission of COVID-19 in Sydney, coming after 12 consecutive days without a single locally-acquired case.

At this stage there is no indication NSW could tighten restrictions, but Premier Gladys Berejiklian has made it clear it is "the most concerned we've been (since the Crossroads Hotel cluster in July)".

The warning comes as Sydney prepares to host an entire 59-game WBBL season, running from October 25 until November 29.

Players and staff from all eight clubs, even those who live in Sydney, are staying at Olympic Park hotels throughout the Twenty20 tournament.

The level of freedom they enjoy within that precinct could be adjusted throughout the event, likewise crowds sizes, depending on the COVID-19 risk.

"An enormous amount of work has gone into building the village ... we've got a really scalable model if you like, which allows us to pull different levers if the situation changes," WBBL boss Alistair Dobson told reporters.

"Crowds will be something we work really closely with the NSW government on.

"We haven't talked about specific numbers (of cases that would prompt changes) or necessarily when we'd need to adjust, but it's something we monitor and talk about daily."

Dobson noted CA and the Australian Cricketers' Association had worked hard to ensure the WBBL Hub had adequate support personnel, including psychologists, on deck.

"Part of what we're trying to set up is ... an experience that is positive and not the hard bubble that other competitions have gone through," he said.

"There is an element of freedom within the village. We're creating some really cool environments ... there's activities players can take part in."

Reigning WBBL player of the year Sophie Devine, Heather Knight, Stafanie Taylor and Dane van Niekerk - all captains in international cricket - headline the list of foreign talent taking part in the world's premier women's T20 league.

"It's an enormous sacrifice and won't go unacknowledged around the game," Dobson said.

Dobson also thanked local players and match officials, who have agreed to leave families behind and put their lives on hold for five weeks.

"We don't take their sacrifice for granted," he said, revealing Foxtel had committed to broadcasting 36 WBBL games.

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