The Perth Scorchers have delayed their flight to Tasmania after the state recorded a new case of COVID-19, as a snap three-day lockdown threatens to derail the start of their WBBL campaign.

All eight Women’s Big Bash League franchises will be based in Hobart for the beginning of the tournament, which kicked off at Blundstone Arena on Thursday night.

The Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars were the opening act but the show won’t go on for at least three days after the Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed a stay-home order due to a COVID-positive man escaping hotel quarantine.

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Gutwein said the Tasmanian Government was working through plans with Cricket Australia, but confirmed if matches did go ahead, they would be without crowds and players and support staff will stay in bubbles.

“We’re currently working through it. Bearing in mind there are national and international matters to consider here in terms of the broadcast, if they do go ahead they would go ahead with no crowd and with the players remaining in a bubble,” Gutwein said.

Cricket Australia confirmed they were working on a number of options to keep the WBBL going in a statement on Friday afternoon.

“The Weber Women’s Big Bash League acknowledges the decision of the Tasmanian Government to call a three-day lockdown in the interests of public health,” the statement read.“The health and safety of our players, staff, match officials and partners, along with that of the wider community, remains our top priority.“We are currently working with the Tasmanian Government on options for the upcoming Weber WBBL|07 matches at Blundstone Arena, Hobart this weekend.“All players, staff and match officials in Tasmania for the Weber WBBL have received COVID-19 vaccinations and received the required negative COVID-19 test results. All are currently participating in training at Blundstone Arena or at team hotels.“The League will provide further updates in due course.”

The 31-year-old NSW travelled to Hobart from Melbourne on Monday and was directed to quarantine.

His room was later discovered empty. Once apprehended the man returned a positive result for the Delta strain. It is believed he spent about 18 hours in the community.

As a result, the Scorchers have amended their travel plans, delaying their flight to Hobart until at least Saturday.

“Due to the unfolding COVID situation in Tasmania the Scorchers have delayed their travel from Perth to Hobart by 24-hours,” the team confirmed in a tweet.

There are four WBBL matches scheduled for this weekend, including the Hobart Hurricanes’ clash on Saturday.

The Scorchers are set to play their campaign opener against the Brisbane Heat on Sunday. A decision is yet to be made whether those games will go ahead.

If the tournament is given the green light to proceed without fans, The West Australian understands the Scorchers will fly to Hobart. If no cricket is permitted, the team will remain in Perth for the duration of the lockdown.

Cricket Tasmania confirmed their local CT Premier League matches have been cancelled.

“The Men’s 1st Grade matches scheduled for Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 October are abandoned due to State Government’s decision for a three day lockdown in Hobart,” Cricket Tasmania confirmed on Twitter.

“Any decision that will be made regarding the status of these matches will be determined and communicated in due course.”

The developing COVID situation the apple isle also forced the March Cup clash between Western Australia and Tasmania at the WACA Ground to be delayed until 1pm AWST.

No Tasmanian players visited the exposure sites and the team has been cleared to play by WA Police.

Four Tasmanian players who flew in from their home State, Jake Doran, Mitch Owen, Riley Meredith and Tom Andrews, had to be cleared before the game could go ahead. Two match officials also flew in from Tasmania.

The rest of the squad were fine after coming straight from Adelaide after their drawn Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland.

It is understood Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe has also been caught up in the chaos after attending the WBBL opener.

The 30-year-old is rumoured to be dating Sixers captain Ellyse Perry.