BBL 2021/2021: Big Bash unable to implement DRS for new season

Umpire howlers could still be a part of the Big Bash this summer, after plans for introducing DRS had to be shelved.

Adam Zampa (left) and Glenn Maxwell are superstars of the BBL (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

Cricket is holding its breath that DRS will be available for every Ashes Test this summer after it was ruled out as a pivotal tool for the Big Bash.

Players and fans were up in arms about a number of ‘howlers’ in last year’s BBL and were vocal in their push for Cricket Australia to fork out for the multimillion-dollar technology and bring it up to speed with other leagues around the world.

Cricket Australia had listened to the feedback and were intending to do so, but COVID-forces have conspired against them and BBL bosses informed players on Sunday that the upcoming season would again be played without the safety net of a decision review system.

Rashid Khan appeals to the umpire... but won’t be able to challenge decisions this summer. Picture: Getty

Transporting the DRS technology – and the few skilled experts capable of operating it – around the country each season comes with an estimated bill worth north of $5 million.

With doubts over State border crossings, it was an expense that couldn’t be justified for this summer, with Cricket Australia adamant conditions should be the same at all matches.

BBL boss Alistair Dobson wants to eradicate the howler from the game, but frustrated fans and players are being asked to wait.

“We’ve spent an enormous amount of time since last season looking at the options and understanding the technology and understanding the logistics that would be required to bring DRS or some form of technology based review into the BBL,” Dobson told News Corp.

“The complexity of the BBL in a normal year is pretty significant (in itself) but the international borders and I guess the lack of certainty around domestic borders and even scheduling at this point meant that the confidence or the ability to reliably implement a technology based DRS across all the games is just not possible this season.

“It remains our intent to bring something in in the future for the WBBL and BBL.”

Big Bash boss Alistair Dobson. Picture Chris Kidd

Issues with transporting the precious DRS cargo and its operators across State borders could also be a stress for the Ashes Test summer.

Administrators would have to rely on the West Australian Government to allow the specially trained broadcast staff in should the fifth Test be played in Perth.

There was uproar about the women’s internationals between Australia and India not having access to DRS, but Cricket Australia’s plans to have the technology for the series were destroyed by the late change in schedule to the Gold Coast.

It illustrates the uncertainty around COVID cricket but also just how much fans are demanding DRS in the era of mass video replays and review systems in place in virtually all sports.

Perth Scorchers captain Mitchell Marsh was on the receiving end of a couple of shocking blunders by umpires last summer and leading players and commentators like Shane Warne have also called on the BBL to bring itself up to other Twenty20 leagues and introduce technology.

There’s also a concern the Ashes could be played without DRS. Picture: AAP

GONE IN 75 SECONDS: BBLS’ RADICAL RULE CHANGE

The Big Bash has had enough of time wasting batters who now face the humiliating prospect of being sent on their way without even facing a ball.

But in a twist to cricket’s traditional “timed out” rule, News Corp understands BBL chiefs are considering one proposal for an eye-catching penalty; where the batter would stand aside and hand power to the bowler to decide their fate with a free delivery at an open set of stumps.

Cricket Australia has listened to fans frustrated at how long BBL games dragged on last summer, and are set to crack down on batters who dawdle to the crease by enforcing a revamped time penalty.

Adam Zampa (left) and Glenn Maxwell are superstars of the BBL (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

There were numerous instances last summer when batters took more than two minutes to make their way to the middle and take guard, contributing to tedious delays and prime time matches finishing late in the night.

In the early years of BBL, matches were wrapped up in just over three hours, but in more recent times they’re taking as long as three hours 40 minutes, a major turn-off for families.

It’s understood a shot clock timed at around 75 seconds will be put on batters in both the WBBL and BBL to either face up, or face a potentially game-changing penalty to their team.

Cricket Australia bosses are yet to finalise the exact deterrent, but are hoping the mere threat of a serious in-game penalty will be enough to instantly stamp out the tardy behaviour without punishment having to be enforced.

“We know Big Bash fans want to watch fast-paced, exciting cricket on TV and in the stadium,” Alistair Dobson, CA’s general manager of Big Bash leagues, told News Corp.

“We have spent the off-season looking at ways to keep the game moving and are close to finalising what this might look like.”

The chastening prospect of a tardy batter being forced to watch their stumps get knocked over with nothing they can do about it, would certainly speed up the contest.

But on the odd occasion batters do fail to get their skates on, the bonus could be for an enthralling new dimension for TV and live audiences where bowlers are given the chance to test out their accuracy from 22 yards: the bowling version of a free hit.

Imagine the drama of seeing a big gun like Chris Lynn timed out (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Cricket chiefs want players to be more urgent about moving the game on but aren’t looking to trip up batters and would be lenient on legitimate mediating circumstances like at grounds where dug outs are a long way from the middle.

Big Bash bosses are concerned that as years have gone by, the length of BBL matches has ballooned out to the point where it’s a problem for the target audience of kids and families.

Getting the fielding team moving in between overs could be another important component of the crackdown.

Meanwhile, administrators have confirmed a revised 59-game WBBL season starting next week, which hubs in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.

All 59-matches will be televised live on Fox Cricket and Kayo.

Originally published as BBL 2021/2021: Big Bash unable to implement DRS for new season