Covid-19: Scorchers vs Hurricanes game moved to Tasmania because of border issues

Perth Scorchers will spend the rest of the BBL season on the road with their December 20 home fixture against Hobart Hurricanes moved from Perth Stadium.

Cricket Australia was left scrambling on Wednesday to reschedule the fixture after the Western Australian government tightened its border with New South Wales, which has a surge of Covid-19 cases amid the Omicron variant. Under a reclassified "extreme risk" category, travel from New South Wales to Western Australia will not be permitted effective from December 18 unless approved under the strictest of conditions. Victoria is already classified as "extreme risk" by the WA government.

Scorchers and Hurricanes both played matches in Sydney in recent days meaning they would not be allowed entry into Western Australia. It was confirmed on Thursday that the December 20 fixture had moved to Tasmania with the teams, currently in Hobart, having played each other on Tuesday night at Bellerive Oval.

Having played their season opener against Brisbane Heat at home, Scorchers will be locked out of Western Australia until the state's hard border comes down on February 5 with players and coaching staff planning to spend the remainder of the BBL interstate. Their second match of the season against Adelaide Strikers was moved from Perth Stadium to Sydney Showgrounds and played behind closed doors after Strikers weren't allowed into Western Australia because they had played their season opener in Melbourne.

Scorchers' home fixtures against Melbourne Renegades on December 26 and Melbourne Stars on December 30 have been moved to Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Scorchers' home games against Sydney Thunder on January 5 and Sydney Sixers on January 6 are also likely to be played in Sydney.

But the upheaval has not affected the unbeaten Scorchers, who can take heed of last season's runners-up finish after playing only four games at Optus Stadium.

"We are accepting the challenge and look forward to embracing it," Scorchers batter Cameron Bancroft told ESPNcricinfo earlier in the week. "We have to enjoy this time together and just try to have fun with it."

The fifth Ashes Test, which was originally scheduled to be played in Perth, was recently shifted to Hobart, while the ODI between Australia and New Zealand on January 30 at Optus Stadium remains in doubt.