WBBL Marsh Cup 2021-22 – Hobart snap lockdown delays Marsh Cup game start in Perth, with concerns for WBBL

Tasmania players test negative for Covid-19 in Perth and clash with WA set to go ahead after an hour delay

The Marsh Cup clash between Western Australia and Tasmania in Perth will go ahead but the toss has been delayed by one hour following news that Hobart will go into a snap three-day lockdown from 6pm on Friday that could affect the WBBL.

Hobart will be plunged into a lockdown following a Covid-19 case emerging in the Covid-free state after a traveller from New South Wales breached quarantine and spent days in the community before testing positive.

The border between Tasmania and Western Australia is open due to both states being Covid-free. Both states, however, have strict zero-Covid policies and the case emerging in Hobart meant the entire Tasmania travelling party had to be tested in Perth. All players and staff have returned negative tests and none had been to any of the listed exposure sites in Hobart.

As a result, the game will go ahead but the toss has been delayed by one hour. The toss will be held at 12.15pm local time ahead of a 1pm start.

There are still concerns over the WBBL with all eight teams currently in Tasmania after the tournament got underway on Thursday in Hobart. The first 20 matches are scheduled to be played in Tasmania and the tournament is then scheduled to shift to Adelaide and Perth. But there is no word yet on any potential schedule changes following the news of the snap lockdown.

More to come