BBL 2022-23: Fixture release includes earlier start times to encourage families back

The BBL fixture is out for this summer with a host of massive games in store early in the tournament. See every team’s fixture here.

Steve Smith was one of the stars who had hoped to feature in last summer’s BBL finals.

Resentment over State of Origin kick-off times has echoed all the way to cricket, with the Big Bash to shamelessly try and catch the eyes of youngsters before bed time.

Only one match in the BBL’s 61-game season is scheduled to start after 8pm locally, with organisers seeking to make the bringing back of crowds and families the league’s No. 1 aim after a couple of years of empty stands.

NRL boss Peter V’landys told News Corp recently he was determined to negotiate with broadcaster Channel 9 to revamp State of Origin with “kid friendly” starting times, following years of backlash to games starting well after 8pm.

CA has been criticised over recent years for having too many matches finishing after 11pm at night.

The Big Bash released its 2022-23 schedule on Thursday, with league chief Alistair Dobson declaring clubs have been put on notice to prioritise lifting at-game attendances around the country following two lean Covid years.

“We put attendances right at the top of the list, particularly this summer in the development of the schedule,” Dobson told News Corp.

“It’s always really important to us, but even more so this summer. We know how keen everyone is going to be to get back out there and the start times do play a role.

“There’s a whole range of considerations around time zones and broadcast considerations … but to be able to keep games in and around that 7-7.15pm time at local level is a huge part of it.”

Earlier start times to BBL games are being used to encourage kids to tune in an attend.

Broadcasters prefer later start times, with AFL and NRL marquee matches typically not starting until 7.50pm on the east coast.

Perth BBL matches will start late on the east coast, but provide locals the chance to flock to matches starting at 6.30pm at Optus Stadium.

Last year’s Big Bash schedule became a dog’s breakfast when Covid ravaged the competition and dozens of matches had to be moved to either daytime or late night slots.

However, the BBL schedule this year has attempted to limit afternoon matches to weekends – in a further bid to boost the number of families attending.

Marnus Labuschagne poses for a selfie with Brisbane Heat fans.

“We have spoken to each of the clubs that have afternoon games and they have really exciting plans around kids and families and providing something different there,” said Dobson.

“We feel that regular good start times for prime time, some great games in Perth and then lots of opportunities for younger families to get to some afternoon games is a great mix.”

Fox Cricket’s exclusive matches will primarily centre around weekends this summer to give viewers greater certainty over where to find their matches.

The Big Bash will kick off on December 13, straight off the back of the Adelaide day-night Test, as Cricket Australia attempts to give the competition the crucial “fast start” Channel 7 has complained it was robbed of back in 2020-21.

There is still no Christmas Day fixture, although Boxing Day and New Year’s Day extravaganzas are back.

Sydney Sixers fans bring the noise.

CANCELLED TOUR DELIVERS STAR POWER TO BBL

Channel 7 may be at war with Cricket Australia but it is said to be “overall really happy” with a Big Bash schedule which could now see more Test players featuring.

Cricket Australia confirmed on Wednesday that South Africa has pulled out of three one-day internationals scheduled for mid-January, and despite CA’s determined attempts to keep those fixtures alive, the fact they’ve been canned should give the under-siege BBL a much-needed boost.

With the January schedule now clear of any international cricket after the Sydney Test, more Australian stars than ever before will be able to play in the BBL – although David Warner and the fast bowling cartel led by Test captain Pat Cummins are still unlikely to commit.

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As revealed by News Corp, Seven is suing Cricket Australia in an attempt to terminate its $450 million broadcast rights deal, based on the network’s claim the BBL is not up to standard.

Big Bash League boss Alistair Dobson is adamant CA still maintains a workable relationship with Seven and said the network had given a green tick to the 2022-23 schedule which will be unveiled on Thursday.

“We work really closely with them and all our partners, both Seven, Fox and all our eight clubs,” Dobson told News Corp.

“I think everyone has preferences and things that are important to them. We work really closely with Seven and their cricket team and their programming and scheduling team and I think overall they’re really happy with where we’ve landed.

Peter Siddle could have more international stars for company in the BBL this summer.

Australian ODI stars such as Mitch Marsh are set to be available.

“ … We have really strong relationships on a day-to-day basis with their teams involved in putting great cricket on TV and scheduling it in a way that optimises audiences and crowds and really strong working relationship with both our broadcast partners. They’re as excited about this summer as what we are.”

In Seven’s statement of claim lodged to the Federal Court and seen by News Corp, Dobson is quoted in an email chain with other CA executives warning of “unmitigated disasters” for the league if key changes were made to the 2020-21 schedule.

Dobson on Wednesday declined to comment on the court proceedings and the fact his emails had been referenced in Seven’s Statement of Claim.

“I’m not in a position to comment on that process that’s underway,” Dobson said.

The fact Australia’s Test summer starts with effectively back-to-back day night Tests (the Perth day Test running into prime time for east coast audiences) gives broadcasters a strong lead-in to the BBL competition starting in mid-December, and then uninterrupted run of night time cricket through to the end of January.

Steve Smith was one of the stars who had hoped to feature in last summer’s BBL finals.

In many ways the coming summer’s BBL picture, with a clearer schedule and the prospect of more Australian stars playing is what Seven claims CA should have delivered in previous seasons.

Until a new MOU is signed with players next year, there is no framework in place requiring Australian stars to play in the BBL – but Dobson is still hopeful of a strong buy-in from players now the South African matches have been cancelled.

“While not ideal circumstances, there is obviously an opportunity for us there to step in. we haven’t necessarily spoken directly to a lot of players yet … but now it will be an opportunity for clubs over the coming days and weeks to have much clearer conversations with players and to be able to understand when they’re available, the degree to which they’re available and which games they can play,” said Dobson.

“So we expect that to ramp up pretty quickly now and obviously there’s a good window there, albeit we completely understand players have a busy workload both leading into the BBL and then off the back of the summer. So it’s a case-by-case scenario that our clubs will start to work through.

“ … I think it goes without saying that obviously the fast bowlers tend to have more considerations or challenges around workload.”