BBL 2020: Big Bash 10 set to start early in December with India Test series
This year’s Big Bash will get it’s earliest ever start which will coincide with Australia’s first Test against India as Cricket Australia announced a two-month schedule that will feature more prime time games.
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The Big Bash will start on December 3 this year and run for more than 60 days including the first matches running on each day of Australia’s first Test against India.
Cricket Australia has pencilled in the earliest ever BBL start, more than two weeks before last year’s first game, to allow room for changes should there be any complications with the COVID-19 situation.
It also allows the regular season to finish before the end of the school holidays in January, with the final to held on February 6.
But the clash with the Test series makes it highly unlikely again that the likes of Aussie stars David Warner, Steve Smith or Pat Cummins would be able to play any BBL with two one-day series also scheduled for January,
Cricket Australia didn’t heed calls from players to shorten the T20 competition as the eight BBL franchises all pushed to play their full 14-game fixtures.
There will be eight straight days of games to start the season and while there won’t be a game on Christmas Day, the Adelaide Strikers could have to travel on December 25 for a Boxing Day clash in Perth.
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BBL boss Alistair Dobson said being able to announce a full fixture against the backdrop of the challenging COVID-19 environment was a “significant achievement”.
“As the BBL approaches its tenth season, the League, our Clubs and our Partners are doing everything possible to ensure that we are set and ready to go for a great Summer of Big Bash,” Dobson said.
“Scheduling in the time of coronavirus is not without its challenges, as we have seen in elite sporting conditions at home and abroad, and there are factors outside the League itself which could impact the fixture at a later date.
“That said, at this time, we are happy with the fixture as it stands and excited to celebrate a decade of Big Bash with Australian fans during the summer.
“It should ensure that more BBL matches are played in prime time and enable the regular season to again finish inside the school holidays which was a key objective, particularly in light of the busy international schedule planned for the coming summer.
“We will also be making more announcements in due course about enhancements to the League that we are confident will excite and delight fans across the country.”
There's more important things in the world than cricket right now, but here's how we'd love to see the summer of BBL unfold. Stay safe and healthy everyone! #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/yE3tKuAEGp
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) July 15, 2020
Dobson said CA and the BBL would continue to act in accordance with health advice and government protocols
“While we know that the challenging, fast-changing coronavirus pandemic could ultimately mean revisions to the schedule, there is nonetheless a lot to like about the way both competitions are shaping up. It is our sincere hope that the WBBL06 and KFC BBL10 will go some way towards lifting the spirits of, and restoring a sense of normality to, the nation,” he said.
“As with all sporting competitions around the world, we must remain vigilant and agile in responding to the COVID-19 situation as it develops and we will continue to work with all relevant federal and state government agencies, biosecurity experts, venues, clubs, players, broadcast partners and our own internal teams to ensure a safe and successful summer.
There will be fewer games away from major venues, but the Melbourne Renegades will still play one game in Geelong, with other matches in Coffs Harbour and Canberra.
The Melbourne Stars will also play the first ever BBL game at the Junction Oval on December 20 after a regional match was not considered “feasible” by officials in the current climate.
More WBBL games will be on TV than ever before with their competition to start in October. The WBBL teams will also spend a period in hubs, with blocks of games to be played at one venue, as occurred last season.
Potential changes to playing conditions this year are believed to include free-hits for wides, bonus points for runs made or wickets taken by the 10-over point of an innings, substitutions in that same period, and two floating Powerplay overs.
“We will also be making more announcements in due course about enhancements to the League that we are confident will excite and delight fans across the country,” Dobson said.
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Originally published as BBL 2020: Big Bash 10 set to start early in December with India Test series