Cricket news: Next TV rights deal to dictate size of BBL cutback

Marquee star Rashid Khan and leading player Adam Zampa have been vocal advocates for Big Bash series to be shortened and now Cricket Australia may finally be listening.

Cricket Australia is finally listening to claims the Big Bash is too long, and is open to slashing the tournament by up to 20 games.

While Channel 10 and Paramount are reportedly open to the BBL staying at its current length of 61 matches, CA has received chastening feedback from other TV broadcasters and players adamant the season must shorten.

Cricket Australia has opened discussions with broadcasters with a starting point of remaining at the current status quo of 61 games, but News Corp understands talks have taken place about the potential to shorten it to a ball park figure of around 40 matches.

Senior Australian Big Bash players have long expressed an opinion that the BBL is too long, and playing sources also sense CA has finally softened its stance and is open to listening to the feedback and reducing the length of the season.

Ultimately, the length of the Big Bash going forward will depend on the arrangement struck with whichever broadcaster or broadcasters Cricket Australia end up doing a deal with for the next TV rights deal.

The new Big Bash season kicks off on Tuesday with the Sydney Thunder tackling the Melbourne Stars in Canberra on prime time. The competition should get a good kick-start coming off the back of the Test summer, particularly when the Gabba Test kicks off on Saturday and the Big Bash can follow on from the day’s play.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley is under pressure after the David Warner leadership ban fiasco, but he has kicked a goal with the signing of Steve Smith to a lucrative Big Bash contract.

Less is more? Adam Zampa has been a long-time advocate for the Big Bash series to be reduced.

Hockley will remain under the microscope as the TV rights negotiations heat up, with CA hoping for a resolution as early as before Christmas.

But the embattled CEO has received timely support from state land, with Queensland Cricket adamant Hockley and CA have unfairly been used as a “punching bag” over the Warner review.

“I’ve been reading all this stuff being written about Hockley. There’s no issues from our end,” said Queensland, chief executive, Terry Svenson.

“Nick is doing a very good job, albeit with the challenges of running any large organisation.

“Cricket Australia is too frequently used as the punching bag.”

Mitch Marsh and his teammates could be facing a shorter roster in the future.

If Hockley and CA’s broadcast team were agree to shorten the length of the season, it could improve the BBL’s ability to retain international stars for the majority of the competition.

Marquee star Rashid Khan expressed earlier this year a sentiment the Big Bash was too long for overseas players, while leading players like Adam Zampa have also been vocal advocates for a shortening of the competition.

The huge offer that sealed Smith’s blockbuster BBL return

Steve Smith has officially signed with the Sydney Sixers on a deal expected to be worth upwards of $250,000 for four games.

News Corp understands Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW have both chipped in north of $100,000 each to complete a deal which is a massive boost for the Big Bash League.

It will mean Smith will help David Warner headline the BBL and the blockbuster highlight will be on January 21 when the superstar duo clash in the Sydney derby in an event which could sell out the SCG and break TV ratings records.

Steve Smith in action for the Sixers in 2020. Picture: Mark Evans

Smith will also take on the defending champion Perth Scorchers in his first match after the Sydney Test on January 15, and could be available for finals if the Sixers qualify.

It appeared as though Smith was going to be left sidelined from the tournament due to a stand-off with CA, but the deadlock has been broken thanks to a bumper joint offer from head office and Cricket NSW.

Smith has a long history with the Sixers and his return helps make up for last season when he was blocked from playing for match payments.

The Sixers will bring Smith in as a replacement for James Vince when the Englishman returns home mid season, and although he will only be on $2,200 a game in match payments, his earnings will be greatly boosted by marketing contracts.

Originally published as Cricket news: Next TV rights deal to dictate size of BBL cutback