Council reveals why the BBL in Coffs Harbour almost didn’t happen

CITY of Coffs Harbour Council has revealed that the Big Bash League (BBL) thriller at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, was almost called off before the first ball was bowled.

Two days out from Christmas, a water main burst directly under the wicket designated for the Sydney Sixers-Brisbane Heat clash on 5 January.

It was then a race against the clock to ensure the match proceeded as scheduled.

“Few knew of the drama behind the scenes to get this super clash between two of the biggest teams in the Big Bash to go ahead at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.

“It was very much touch-and-go and a tribute to the amazing work by all concerned.”

The first sign that all was not well beneath the ground was water pooling on the surface of the match deck on 23 December.

A 1.2 metre excavation revealed the source – a ruptured main.

“We had to dig up the wicket and everything cascaded from there,” City Greenkeeping Services Team Leader Nathan Silvy said.

“If the break in the line had been 12 inches to the east it would have also taken out the second wicket, which we ended up using.

“Normally it takes 15 days to prepare a Big Bash wicket and we were able to get the spare pitch up to the high standard required by Cricket NSW in just 12 days.”

The great pitch-switch brought with it other challenges.

“Because the second wicket was in a slightly different position we had to get a crane operator in to shift the sidescreen and build a new tower for the TV cameras so they had a stump-to-stump view,” Mr Silvy said.

“Both the crane operator and the scaffolder had gone on Christmas leave but they came back to help rescue the situation.”

This month’s BBL thriller at Coffs was a turning point for the Sixers who won the low-scoring match against the Heat and are now in fourth spot.

The Heat, meanwhile, are still in the race to make the play-offs.