As Victoria prepare for a likely "home" Sheffield Shield final later this month in Alice Springs, the prospect of how the Grand Prix might affect the Bushrangers's chances of hosting next year's final at the redeveloped Junction Oval on Grand Prix weekend remains up in the air.
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Cricket Victoria said this week that the state's new cricket home was due to be ready for games next January, meaning matches in the back half of next season could be played at the venue.
The move to the Junction will solve several issues for CV, who have in recent seasons been forced to host Bushrangers matches at interstate venues due to the unavailability of the MCG. Two summers ago Victoria "hosted" Western Australia in Hobart for the Shield final, while this year the Bushrangers will probably be flying to the Red Centre as they look to claim their third title on the trot.
However one problem that could arise in the future is if the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park coincides with the Shield final. The GP has long provided a headache for club and district cricket in the area. This year's Premier cricket final will be played at Carlton's Princes Park No.1 Oval rather than the nearby Albert Ground, which like Junction Oval is affected in terms of both access and noise during the Grand Prix. Both the Grand Prix and Shield final are traditionally held in late March.
Cricket Australia said on Friday that the matter would be considered if a clash arose. "Whilst the 2017-18 Shield schedule has not been finalised, if there was a fixture clash between the Grand Prix and Victoria hosting the final at Junction Oval, we would work with all parties to look at our options and best possible solution," a CA spokesman said.
