Organisers of Wagga’s Big Bash double header have pleaded with the Riverina sporting community to get behind the weekend’s event.
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The forecast of extreme heat over the weekend has forced officials to lower their expectation for crowd figures at Robertson Oval.
A number of international stars will be in action when Sydney Thunder host Adelaide Strikers in a Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) top of the table double header.
The forecast for temperature of 41 on both days have forced Wagga City Council and Cricket NSW into a mad scramble to ensure the comfort of spectators.
Cricket NSW development manager Luke Olsen conceded the heat has forced a change in expectations from the weekend.
“I think it has,” Olsen said.
“Initially, we were hoping for a couple of thousand each day.”
In preparation for the conditions, Rotary has been hired to set up shade shelters around Robertson Oval.
Wagga City Council has encouraged fans to bring their own shade shelter, chairs and eskies.
Water stations will be placed around the venue, as will a couple of misting tents.
Olsen encouraged sporting fans to still attend the weekend’s matches.
“We’ve done everything we can to ensure patrons are as comfortable as possible,” he said.
“The show will go on.
“Even if people come down for an hour and have a look. It’s a free event. We want people to experience it, have a look and watch the girls play.”
Olsen added that future matches could ride on the success of this weekend.
“If we can get as many people along and show how much our community supports these events then they are more likely to come back,” he said.
“If people don’t come, the less inclined these sporting events are to come back.”
Adelaide Strikers star Tahlia McGrath, an Australian Test player, was pleasantly surprised by the Wagga weather on Friday.
“We were in Alice Springs last weekend, and then we went back to Adelaide and it was hot as well. It’s been non-stop heat, although it’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be today,” McGrath said.
McGrath, along with many of the travelling Strikers, were impressed by their first glimpse at Wagga and Robertson Oval.
“It’s been really good. I’ve never been here before so it’s been quiet nice,” she said.
“I haven’t really been to country towns either. It wasn’t what I was expecting. It’s quiet modern and quite a lot of shops. It’s sweet.”
The games on both Saturday and Sunday will get underway at 2pm. It is free entry for spectators.
