Canberra cricket deal delayed by virus uncertainty

ACT government and Cricket Australia negotiations about a long-term content deal have stalled as all governments and organisations turn their focus to more pressing matters.

The government had hoped to secure a multi-year contract with Cricket Australia have international men's and women's matches and Big Bash games played in Canberra for at least the next four years.

The previous deal expired after Manuka Oval hosted its first Test at the start of last year, although games continued to be scheduled in Canberra over the past 12 months in a sign the agreement was all but finalised.

But coronavirus has cast uncertainty on the Cricket Australia summer given the international travel involved and government officials have put sports on the backburner to make economic stability a priority.

Cricket ACT had hoped to host India and Virat Kohli at some point during the summer, which would have been a major boost for the city given the likely bumper crowd it would attract.

"The new deal with the government was progressing really well," said Cricket ACT boss James Allsopp.

"It's probably just sitting on ice because we still need to work out how the next few months are going to unfold and fingers crossed there will still be international cricket in Australia next summer.

"I think Manuka has a huge role to play in that, with India touring and the Big Bash. I think everyone is just sitting and waiting to see how long this COVID-19 isolation and international travel [ban] is going to go for before we pick up conversations."

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has already announced plans to build a new stadium in Civic will be delayed again as part of the coronavirus fallout.

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

The government had funded a stadium feasibility plan this year and it was expected to be finalised in the coming months, but the need for stimulus packages outweighs the need for a $500 million venue investment.

Barr was hoping to sign multi-year deals with cricket and the AFL by the end of the year to guarantee content at Manuka Oval.

The GWS Giants are nearing the end of their 10-year contract to play three matches per year in Canberra. It's unlikely the Giants will play any of those matches this year given the AFL's shutdown.

Manuka, however, could emerge as a potential AFL venue if the season restarts later in the year given it is one of the only major ovals which will not be used for the men's Twenty20 cricket World Cup.

A crossover between winter and summer sports appears more and more likely this year as all sports work on models in the hope they can play professionally and at community levels this year.

Canberra's community sports will meet this week to discuss the crossover and the ground availability implications if there are schedule clashes.

Cricket ACT is also working on the ACT Meteors and ACT Comets programs

"First and foremost we want to be able to prepare for our community cricket, so premier and junior cricket, so it can go ahead," Allsopp said.

"...I think everyone has identified at the moment, both from cricket and government perspectives, there are other priorities.

"From a cricket perspective it's just going to be trying to map out scenarios that may occur over the next six months.

"That could involve everything from international cricket going ahead but with no crowds allowed to attend games, to an international season that still has crowds attending, to no international cricket at all."