Hazardous smoke haze from the surrounding bushfires could jeopardise Canberra's final Big Bash League clash of the season as Cricket Australia explores other options.
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The Sydney Thunder are scheduled to host the Melbourne Renegades at Manuka Oval on January 15, just weeks after a smoke haze forced a match at the venue to be abandoned.
Cricket Australia and BBL officials will make a decision in the coming week in case they need to prepare a different venue.
The devastating fires on the eastern seaboard continue to burn, destroying homes and creating havoc for communities.
The air quality in Canberra has deteriorated and Cricket ACT have told the ground staff at Manuka Oval to put down their tools until conditions clear.
The ACT Meteors were slated to play the NSW Breakers in a WNCL clash at Hurstville Oval on Monday but the squad was left stranded in Canberra due to the worsening conditions.
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The match has been rescheduled to be played at the same venue on January 15.
The Meteors initially planned to drive to Sydney on Sunday morning until a thick, orange-tinged smoke smothered the city.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a road weather alert for Canberra, as reduced visibility due to smoke made driving conditions dangerous.
The club's management decided to fly the Meteors squad to Sydney instead but they were then left stranded at Canberra Airport when Qantas cancelled their flight.
"It wasn't ideal but missing a game is really small in significance to everything else going on," Meteors coach David Drew said.
"We're in a fairly privileged position that we get to play and coach cricket for a living while a lot of other people are doing it tougher than us.
"Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia have been excellent with the difficulties we've had. We're really appreciative of them rescheduling and the Breakers' management as well, for allowing us to play. We're looking forward to it."
Drews' side will now shift their focus to their top-four clash with the Queensland Fire at Blacktown on Wednesday.
They'll be bolstered by the inclusion of fast-bowler Maitlan Brown, who was ruled out of the first leg with a shin injury.
The second-placed Meteors won both their opening matches, while Queensland sit third on the ladder with one bonus-point win and a loss.
"It will be tough. Most of the Queensland players were in the WBBL-winning Brisbane Heat team, so they're going to be fairly confident," Drew said.
"We've done our preparation. We're going to have a couple of meetings around some plans for the batters and bowlers.
"They're a quality opposition but we also know our skills and strengths, so we'll be honing in on them."
WNCL
Wednesday: ACT Meteors v Queensland Fire, Blacktown International Sportspark, 10am.
