38 SPORT TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24 2020 More stadiums for BBL MCG, SCG, Optus among venues to secure games as borders reopen RUSSELL GOULD Western will now be grounds too, with the MCG set bourne will also host games Stars in on the final around the country will get the part of the summer. to host up to 40,000 for the again, with the final likely to be day of the regular season. chance to see their KFC BBL THE MCG, SCG and Optus The MCG will host the Box- Test and Big Bash played at the MCG. The Heat will play seven clubs in action on home soil,” Stadium in will all host ing Day Test, but Perth was left boss Alistair Dobson said he Constant travel has been matches in front of home fans Dobson said. Big Bash games in January out of the international sched- was hopeful that could be the avoided. The Scorchers will get at either or Metri- Ticket pre-sales for club after was ule and its hard border threat- capacity for the BBL game on four home games, but the Ad- con Stadium throughout the members begin on Tuesday, able to slot them in for the sec- ened to lock the west out of January 15. elaide Strikers, Heat middle part of the season but with a general public release of ond half of the season. any cricket. “Playing games in different and will not will spend the opening and tickets for all December Spotless Stadium in Sydney But the Scorchers will get states will have different crowd travel to Perth closing fortnights on the road. matches, except those at the will also host games with every home games from January 6 capacities but if we can get to Both Melbourne teams will Dobson described the fix- , from Novem- team now getting the oppor- with the regular season to be that level at the back end of play their final five games in ture as “the boldest schedule in ber 27. CA continues to moni- tunity to play home games. rounded out with an Australia January that would be amaz- their home city. Australian sport since the pan- tor the COVID-19 outbreak in Locked out of the first half Day triple-header including ing,” he said. “We’d love to The Thunder will also have demic began”. South Australia closely, with of the fixture because of hard two games at the MCG and think we could get to some- five games in Sydney – includ- “This schedule is a testa- the opening Test against India COVID-19 lockdowns and one at the SCG. thing like that.” ing one at the SCG – while the ment to the strength of the scheduled in Adelaide from border closures, and Huge crowds could yet fill Marvel Stadium in Mel- Thunder will travel to play the league and ensures our fans December 10. Goorjian still keen on Bogut MATT LOGUE

BOOMERS coach Brian Goorjian gave Andrew Bogut his first shot in an Australian singlet, so he would “love” for the veteran big man to help him secure the country’s first men’s medal at next year’s Tokyo Olympics. As Bogut (pictured) weighs up his next career move, Goor- jian made his intentions to in- clude him in the Australian squad crystal clear. He believes the 35-year-old is as vital to Australia’s medal chances as he was when he started out at the 2004 Athens Olym- pics. might find himself battling youngster for a place in Australia’s one-day team to face India. Picture: Getty Images “I know the importance of his leadership, and I fully HELPING GREEN COULD BACKFIRE ON STOINIS u n d e r s t a n d what his commit to that would BEN HORNE Stoinis is all that stands between the ODI series against India could be psychological blows in the white-ball be,” Goorjian said. Green making his international debut the chance to test the all-rounder’s games. “I would love for him to be a MARCUS Stoinis is the mentor who for Australia at the SCG on Friday, credentials at the highest level – and However, Stoinis is coming off a part of it, just to have that guy helped to create a monster. when selectors will face the first of get some valuable overs under his belt strong IPL and is the more noted by my side just knowing how The star all-rounder has helped several difficult calls this summer on – before the Test summer. white-ball player, having also much he wants it. prodigy Cameron Green in his rise to incumbency versus the future. Australia and India understand the performed solidly in all six of “Bogut was the guy, the international level, but could this week Green doesn’t have an especially momentum that can be gained for Australia’s most recent T20 and ODI very first one, that I started become a victim of his own generosity. strong 50-over domestic record, but their Test battle by first striking some matches in England in September. with in Athens.” NZ EYES WIN FOR FOSTER Big call to break bond, says Warner LOCK Patrick Tuipulotu said ber 14, which followed a loss the All Blacks want a win to Australia the previous RUSSELL GOULD with Warner in Adelaide next ready to be picked in the Test against Argentina this week- week. month. team. end to silence the “haters” “The coach is the face of says the “bond” Burns remains the frontrunner It’s been revealed selectors will who targeted coach Ian Fos- the squad and is always going between openers is as important and has the backing of coach Jus- consult Warner on who his pre- ter after their shock loss to to get the blame if we lose two as current form and will talk hon- tin Langer despite failing to pass ferred opening partner would be, Los Pumas. in a row,” the Auckland Blues estly with selectors if asked about 30 in five Sheffield Shield innings. and he said he’d be “honest” with Tuipulotu said the players tight forward said. who his preferred opening partner Pucovski rocketed into conten- chairman of selectors Trevor owed Foster a strong per- “It’s on us to get a result would be for the first Test against tion after making two double hun- Hohns and coach formance in Saturday’s Tri and perform well so that India. dreds as a first-time opener, and when consulted. Nations clash after the coach when he’s in the firing line it’s Incumbent Joe Burns and Vic- several greats, including former Warner said it would be a big bore the brunt of criticism for for good stuff, from a good Joe Burns and torian batting dynamo Will Pu- and selector Greg Chap- call to break up a partnership that the 25-15 defeat on Novem- win.” David Warner. covski are both vying to walk out pell, said the 22-year-old was was working.

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