The Big Bash League could introduce a host of new rules to attract the biggest stars of Australian and world cricket from next season. High-level discussions have reportedly already taken place among Cricket Australia officials regarding rule changes for the upcoming Big Bash League season.
Australian news outlet The Sydney Morning Herald has stated that cricket officials in Australia are keen to improve the Big Bash League after another successful season of the tournament so far. Cricket Australia is keen to achieve higher scores and closer games in the Big Bash League and also wants to improve the quality of the competition by reducing the workload of top stars.
The report stated that officials are considering ideas from baseball and the UK’s short-form tournament, The Hundred, to make Australia’s premier T20 tournament more interesting. The Australian Cricket Board also wants to ensure that players stay fresh throughout the tournament so they can perform at their best.
These are some of the rules that could be introduced for the next Big Bash League season:
A designated hitter:
This rule will see each team nominate one player in their playing XI who only bats and does not have to field. Teams will also have to nominate a designated outfielder to give the designated hitter a rest. The move could also see franchises hand out contracts to fielders if they feel having a specialist fielder could benefit them.
The report also indicated that designated hitters could commentate for broadcasters when their team was on the field. Such a move could attract big names to play in the Big Bash League, who normally skip the competition to stay fresh for international games. Some of the foreign stars have already said that they would be willing to play in the tournament if not playing was an option.
“I’m a bit more of a traditionalist in picking your best 11 and finding your all-rounders. Is it leaning too much towards a batsman-friendly game like we’ve seen in the IPL? It’s selfish though, if they just need like specialist fielders , I’d probably get a job for longer,” Sydney Sixers star Jordan Silk said.
Bowling two consecutive overs from the same side and optional 12-ball overs:
Teams could be allowed to bowl 12 balls from one side before swapping sides in the next Big Bash League season. In the Hundred, teams can bowl 10 balls (consecutive 5-ball overs) from one end. The new rule could also allow a player to make 12 deliveries in a row. However, they would not be allowed to bowl more than 24 balls in the game under the existing rules.
“We went through this with The Hundred,” said Trent Woodhill, Cricket Australia’s high performance consultant for the WBBL and BBL.
“The penny drops when people realize what T20 cricket really is. Fielding isn’t running between overs or running into a position at speed. It’s all the other things Silky does that makes him so damn good.” “he added.
On the other hand, Silk said: “I’m probably a little more pro on that. Anything we can to speed things up. I don’t see any problem.”
When asked if pacers could bowl 12 balls in a row, he said: “They do it in the nets. It might be rare that you see it happen.”
Double plays:
Another rule that is being discussed is the execution of the double play. As per the rule, two batsmen can be dismissed on the same delivery if bails are removed at both ends of the field and both batsmen are outside their crease.
Officials proposed that this type of layoff would apply only to workers who lost their jobs. There are also proposals to apply the rule to a catch and then a takeout, as in baseball.
“You would rarely see it. It can happen a few times a year. That’s certainly there. I don’t love it. I think there’s also a skill in trying to beat your partner to the other end,” Silk said.
New rule suggestions for the upcoming BBL season:
(Sydney Morning Herald)1) Designated hitter or fielder
2) Output at both ends
3) Catch and then run away with the same ball
4) Two consecutive overs in the same over
5) Two consecutive overs from the same player
6) A maiden declares the… pic.twitter.com/8FjmtHjYnO— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) January 24, 2025
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