Cricket fanswill be bowled over when the Big Bash League (BBL) returns to Alice Springs inDecember as part of a new deal with the Hobart Hurricanes, Cricket Australiaand the Territory Labor Government.
The partnership is a keyelement of the TIO Strike League partnership between NT Cricket and Cricket Tasmania,which provides a clear pathway to the elite level for talented Territory cricketers,male and female.
Inyet another blockbuster sporting event for Alice Springs, the Hobart Hurricaneswill take on the Sydney Sixers at TIO Traeger Park on Friday 20 December in frontof a large crowd of local and interstate fans which will provide a substantialboost to local businesses.
The game will bebroadcast live on free-to-air television, showcasing the Red Centre to a wide nationaland international audience.
As well as inspiring our next generation of cricketers, fans will enjoya festival of cricket with an opportunity to interact with the players on thedays around the match.
The newpartnership will also see the Hurricanes Mens and Womens teams compete forthe first time in the local TIO Strike League competition, as well as supplyingplayers for other League teams.
CricketTasmania will host its Mens and Womens State Camps in Darwin for the nextthree years, in conjunction with Northern Territory Cricket.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport andCulture, Lauren Moss:
This is an exciting partnership between the NorthernTerritory Government, Cricket Australia and the Hobart Hurricanes.
The TerritoryLabor Government is proud to bring the Big Bash League to the NT, as we know howmuch Territorians enjoy seeing their sporting heroes play in their home town.
Theblockbuster BBL game between two of the leagues best teams will stimulate the economywith hundreds of visitors expected to travel to the Territory for the game.
As stated by Dale Wakefield, Member for Braitling:
SupportingTerritory businesses, creating local jobs and contributing to the vibrantlifestyle that locals know and love is so important, which is why the TerritoryLabor Government continue to fund events such as Big Bash League games in theRed Centre.
The HobartHurricanes and Sydney Sixers game in December will be one to watch, so I wouldencourage locals and visitors alike to purchase their tickets as soon as theygo on sale later this year to avoid missing out.
As stated by Cricket Tasmania CEO Nick Cummins:
"The decision to play in the Northern Territory willprovide us with a great opportunity to showcase Big Bash in the region andforms part of a greater alliance between Cricket Tasmania and NT Cricket.
We will use this opportunity to celebrate Tasmaniasindigenous culture and heritage, with more details to be announced shortly.
As stated by NT Cricket CEO Joel Morrison:
Werethrilled to see the Big Bash return to Alice Springs with the match to beheadlined by the Territorys very own DArcy Short.
Images of theHobart Hurricanes taking on the Sydney Sixers will be beamed around the countryand across the globe, showcasing the beauty of the Red Centre tomillions.
The agreementbetween the Hurricanes and Northern Territory Government to host a BBL match inAlice Springs further builds upon the emerging partnership between NT Cricketand Cricket Tasmania.
Through thisinnovative partnership, cricket fans in the Top End will benefit as well asthose in the Red Centre, with the Hurricanes BBL and WBBL teams to feature inNT Crickets TIO Strike League in Darwin, which is a fantastic outcome forcricket fans right across the Territory.
