Brisbane Heat Covid outbreak forces Big Bash schedule changes

The Heat were due to face Sydney Sixers on January 4 but were replaced at the last minute by Perth Scorchers. In total, three matches have been impacted

A Covid-19 outbreak at Brisbane Heat has forced the Big Bash into yet more scheduling changes.

Multiple Heat players returned positive results during routine rapid antigen testing ahead of the club’s clash with Sydney Sixers on January 4.

Perth Scorchers, who were originally scheduled to face the Sixers at Queensland’s Metricon Stadium on January 6, agreed to play their match 48 hours earlier while the Heat-Sixers clash has been moved to Wednesday, January 5 to allow replacement players to be sourced and further Covid-19 testing to be completed.

Perth Scorchers versus Sydney Thunder, originally scheduled for January 5, has been pushed back by 24 hours to accommodate the fixture change.

"The league and clubs have learned to be nimble in the current environment and we are pleased that we have found a solution to help safeguard all three matches so quickly," said BBL general manager, Alistair Dobson.

^{Perth Scorchers stepped in to take on Sydney Sixers on January 4 [Matt Roberts/Getty Images]}

"The health and safety of our players and coaches and support staff, and their families, is of paramount importance," added Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson.

"By making a decisive call on tonight’s game, we can work as efficiently as possible to support those players who have returned a positive rapid antigen test and assist the replacement players coming into the squad."

It is yet to be confirmed how widespread the outbreak in the Heat camp is or what it means for their clash with Melbourne Renegades in Geelong (Victoria) on January 6. Under current rules, players who return a positive PCR must isolate for seven days.

Brisbane Heat are the latest side to be hit by Covid-19 during BBL11, prompting discussions about relocating all eight sides to a single location, most likely Victoria, to allow greater flexibility to the schedule in case of further outbreaks.

Last week, an outbreak at Melbourne Stars forced 12 players and numerous support staff into isolation while the club’s clash with Perth Scorchers on December 30 was also postponed.

Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers have reported positive test results in the past week while Hobart Hurricanes fast bowler Josh Kann is out of his side’s clash with Adelaide Strikers (January 5) after being identified as a close contact.

Elsewhere, Shadab Khan has been ruled out of Sydney Sixers’ matches against Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat due to Queensland’s border restrictions. He is expected to return for their re-match with the Scorchers on January 9.

Revised schedule – Metricon Stadium

January 4 – Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers (previously scheduled for January 6)

January 5 – Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers (January 4)

January 6 – Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder (January 5)