The WBBL enjoyed record viewership numbers alongside the Ashes demolition of England
There were more than Ashes records being broken at the weekend, as the Australian public soaked up every bit of cricket possible.
The wildly entertaining opening day of the Ashes carried into a record-breaking night for the Women’s Big Bash League.
WBBL viewership this season was already up a whopping 45 per cent after 22 games but the match that followed day one in Perth was a six-year ratings high.
The match between the Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat automatically followed the Test match’s post-play coverage on Fox Cricket.
But the ratings confirm this season has the highest average audience across 22 games since broadcasters started covering all matches back in 2021-22.
The Heat and Thunder had collected just one win between them at the time of Friday night’s game which adds an impressive layer to the audience figure.
England’s two-day capitulation aided Australia’s cricket-hungry fans, with Sunday’s WBBL audience the second highest behind Friday in the absence of a third day of the Test.
Australian and Melbourne Stars all-rounder Kim Garth said there was strong hype around the WBBL as a result of the preceding One-Day International World Cup.
“It’s a lot of awesome players, particularly the overseas players, all coming off a World Cup as well,” Garth said on Wednesday.
“It’s nice to have that hype leading into the tournament and there’s been some really good cricket being played, some awesome games.
“Hopefully we continue that, hopefully the rain stays away and we can start having some full games.
“I am really looking forward to the back end of the season, crunch time.”
The amplified appetite for franchise cricket in Australia comes amid growing interest in the BBL by private investors.
Travis Head’s blistering innings reportedly softened the blow of Cricket Australia’s $4m loss as it rated as the highest watched Test day in Kayo Sports history.
Originally published as The WBBL enjoyed record viewership numbers alongside the Ashes demolition of England
Wood set to miss Brisbane Test with knee issue
