Canberra to host BBL|04 final

The final of the 2014-15 KFC T20 Big Bash League will be played at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Wednesday January 28.

It will be the first time the Big Bash final will be held in a neutral venue. For the first three seasons of the competition, the top-placed side had home advantage. 

Quick Single: Players and fans react to Manuka decision

That had meant all three previous finals had been held at the WACA Ground - rebranded The Furnace for the Big Bash League - with the Perth Scorchers claiming top spot each season, with their only win coming last season.

Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Operations Mike McKenna revealed Canberra as the venue today, attributing CA's desire to make the BBL "a truly national competition" a primarny consideration.

“We have looked at a number of options for hosting the final of the Big Bash League, given the unique summer of international cricket that lies ahead and the significant demands that will place on venues around the country,” said McKenna.

“That consideration, combined with our efforts to further establish the BBL as a truly national competition, was part of our decision making.

“We think the concept of staging the final in the neutral territory of the nation’s capital has merit. Manuka Oval has undergone significant work in recent times to upgrade facilities for fans.

“We think it can provide a great backdrop to the biggest match of the tournament while exposing a new market to the excitement of the league.

“It will follow two semi-finals played across the Australia Day weekend in other cities that will see teams compete for a place in the final and Champions League T20.”

Western Australia Cricket Association and Perth Scorchers CEO Christina Matthews said they were "comfortable" with the neutral venue concept.

“Whilst we are disappointed to have not been given the rights to host the final, we are comfortable that, given CA’s desire to hold the final in a neutral venue, they have chosen a truly neutral venue and not another team’s ground," said Matthews.

“With The Furnace having hosted the last three finals, it was maybe the only way for CA to have the match played on the other side of the country and it is a credit to WA cricket that they weren’t willing to take the risk for the fourth year in a row.”

The final will coincide with the ACT's school holiday period and McKenna added the BBL was keen to follow suit of world events like American Football's Super Bowl by hosting the final at neutral venues.

“Our goal is to create a carnival-like atmosphere at Manuka for the match and ensure it is a great event, much like finals of other major sporting competitions around the world which are held at neutral venues,” McKenna added.

“Part of our consideration was around kids. In the ACT it will still be school holidays when the final is played, making it attractive for families.

“Given the enthusiasm Canberra has shown towards staging cricket at Manuka, we expect to be able to fill the ground and create a great atmosphere.”

Manuka Oval has undergone significant work in recent years to bring it up to international standard, with the Federal and ACT Governments investing $5 million to install light towers and further funding to resurface the playing arena and add new seating.

The venue will also host a Carlton-Mid One-Day International between Australia and South Africa on November 19 and three matches of the ICC World Cup 2015 in February and March. The annual Prime Minister’s XI match will take place on 14 January 14.

ACT Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr said: “We have made significant investments in Manuka Oval with a view to making it the best boutique cricket venue in the country.

“As the national capital, Canberra is excited and proud to host this final. I am sure Canberra cricket fans will come in their droves, and we are confident tickets will sell out quickly.”