Aaron Finch says BBL expansion too rapid as broadcasters seek access to stars

Aaron Finch defends the BBL but concedes it may have expanded too quickly as the tournament finds itself at the heart of an ugly dispute.

Aaron Finch during an inter-squad T20 warm-up match at the Ageas Bowl. Picture: Getty Images

Aaron Finch is concerned the Big Bash League’s reputation has been damaged in recent times but concedes it expanded too quickly for its own good.

The Australian white-ball captain’s comments come as it was revealed there are still three proposals on the table for this summer’s fixture.

The schedule and the BBL are at the heart of an angry outburst from Seven West Media boss James Warburton who has threatened to walk away from cricket and said his network would be just as well off filming grade cricket in 2020-21 as it would a depleted BBL.

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The network and Fox Cricket are concerned that the biggest names have rarely been able to participate in the tournament and more so this year with plans to have a white-ball international series against India around the same time.

The need to quarantine limited-overs and Test players for international duty would further deny access to the best local talent.

The BBL expanded rapidly from modest beginnings and moved from 43 to 61 games in the first season of the new broadcast deal.

Finch defended the product but concedes it may have got too big too quickly.

“All in all going from 10 to 14 (games per team) was probably a little bit too drastic a jump straight away,” he said. “Maybe there was a middle ground there for 12 and trial that for a little period.

“It’s still a great product and one that we are proud of.”

Finch acknowledged it was frustrating for fans and broadcasters to not have big local stars in the tournament.

“It would be nice if Australian players were available more but I think in the current climate with the scheduling there has to be a bit of give and take from everywhere and I know that Cricket Australia are working really hard to try and work around it as best they can and come up with some positive solutions,” he said.

“I know that there has been some stats around potentially cutting it back but at the end of the day we want to play as much cricket as we can for the fans, I’m not sure what that right number is as long as the quality stays there. I know it is going to be a little bit different with COVID and the potential for hubs that will change the outlet.”

Cricket Australia are hoping to release a revised international schedule next week, but as it stands there are still three proposals on the table with no final decisions made.

A plan to open the summer with six consecutive white ball matches against India is welcomed by Fox Sports who would have all those games exclusively, but it is not favoured by Channel 7, who feel it could leave them stuck in the starting blocks.

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley will meet with Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delaney next week to go through the options that are still yet to be finalised.

The Channel 7 boss Warburton is demanding immediate clarity on the schedule and is due to meet Hockley on Friday. Both broadcasters are seeking rights reductions and have lawyers involved, with CA standing firm in their belief they don’t need to give money back if they produce a full schedule.

Channel 7 don’t want the Big Bash League, while Fox Sports are set to seek more exclusivity in their deal.

Australia play their first game of cricket in 175 days in the early hours of Saturday morning in Southampton.

The T20 match against England is the first of a whirlwind white-ball series.