Big Bash League cricket side Sydney Thunder will play two home fixtures at the Sydney Showground this season -- a move the Western Sydney franchise "will be hoping coincides with some fresh luck," according to Carly Adno of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH.
With ANZ Stadium booked to host January’s Asian Cup football tournament, the Thunder "were forced to find an alternative venue for the latter part of their campaign."
Like at ANZ Stadium, "a drop-in pitch will be used at the Showground and, while the more intimate stadium seats just 25,000, the straight boundaries are 3 metres longer than the ones at ANZ." Former Australian cricket player and current Thunder Governor Mark Waugh said, "It’s a perfect sized ground. It’s a bit bigger than ANZ -- it’s about the same size as Etihad Stadium -- so it’s a good sized ground and the spectators are going to be nice and close to the action." The Thunder "will find out on Tuesday who their opponents at Sydney Showground will be when the full Big Bash League draw is released" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 6/26).
