Cricket Australia unveil drastic rule changes for upcoming BBL tournament

The Big Bash League will look completely different this season, with three drastic rule changes set to completely reinvent the T20 tournament.

Chris Lynn of the Brisbane Heat.

Forget everything you knew about T20 cricket.

Cricket Australia has unveiled three new playing conditions for the upcoming Big Bash League, which are set to dramatically reinvent the 20-over format.

Earlier this year, CA set about rejuvenating the BBL for spectators, with ticket sales steadily declining for several years.

Rather than reduce the number of group stage matches, former CA chief executive Kevin Roberts said in March the organisation were planning to increase fan engagement by developing a series of “exciting innovations” for BBL10.

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CA recruited former Melbourne Stars list manager Trent Woodhill to help overlook the process, mirroring a previous role where he advised the English Cricket Board on The Hundred.

The three new rule changes — the Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost — are designed to help teams gain an advantage through strategy and decision-making.

Glenn Maxwell of the Melbourne Stars.

“T20 needs to be adjusted continuously,” Woodhill told news.com.au. “It’s a game where you want as much fun and as much excitement as possible, but you also want strategy.

“Strategy brings out the best in elite performers, but it also brings out the best in elite leadership.

“With these innovations, captains and coaches will have to adjust the chess pieces on the board throughout the match, rather than setting their game plan at the start.

“It gives them a chance to get back into matches if they’re behind, or get further ahead if they’re in front.”

BBL coaches and captains will take on more paramount roles this summer, their mid-match choices now pivotal to the game’s final outcome.

“Once (franchises) see the rules in front of them, they’ll work on their own strategy to deal with that,” Woodhill said.

“You see that in rugby league and AFL this year. Coaches and senior players have had to make decisions around how they formulate their game plans.

“Some have done it with great success, and others have struggled. That’s the beauty of change.”

Steve O'Keefe and Moises Henriques of the Sydney Sixers.

POWER SURGE

The Powerplay at the start of an innings, in which only two fielders are permitted outside the ring, will be reduced to four overs, two less than previous seasons. Batting teams will then choose when to enforce the remaining two overs of fielding restrictions after the 10th over.

“It’ll give an opportunity for middle-order players to pick a two-over period in the second 10 overs where they can target a moment in the game or a bowler they think they can take down,” Woodhill said.

“It may force the bowling team to bring on their better bowlers earlier.”

X-FACTOR

After the 10th over of each innings, both teams will be able to substitute a player for either the 12th or 13th name on their team sheet. The departing player must have batted or bowled less than one over.

“The captain and coach can stay with the 11 they’ve selected, or they can sub one of their players out,” Woodhill said.

“Teams are going to have to think on their feet, which is what high-performance sport’s all about.”

BASH BOOST

Four competition points will be up for grabs in each match, three of which will be awarded to the winning team. However, the additional point will be assigned halfway through the second innings to whichever side had the most runs after 10 overs.

Woodhill said: “You’ve got two chases, so that’s exciting for fans and the team batting second.

“How are they going to go about that? Is it to try and achieve both totals, or is it only achieving one depending on the target they’re chasing?”

Rashid Khan of the Adelaide Strikers.

These innovations will inevitably frustrate some cricket traditionalists — fans from any sporting code are habitually opposed to drastic change.

But the new playing conditions will undeniably encourage debate and discussion, altering how viewers conventionally engage with T20 cricket.

CA’s Head of Big Bash Leagues Alistair Dobson said in a statement: “The Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost promote high-scoring, exciting cricket and ensure there’s always something to play for throughout the entire match.

“We’re confident our fans will love what these innovations bring to the game as many of the world’s top T20 players, plus our next generation of Australian stars, bring them to life on field.”

The 2020/21 Big Bash will commence on Thursday, December 10 when the Hobart Hurricanes host the Sydney Sixes at Blundstone Arena.