Whether you have been “thunderstruck” by Chris Gayle’s power hitting, “scorched” by Herschelle and Hoggy, or “star” struck by Warnie and Liz, nobody can argue with the overwhelming and somewhat surprising success of the Big Bash League.
Sell-out crowds from the west to Hobart have ensured that this ‘’hit and giggle’’ competition is here to stay!
It was only 12 months ago that the Big Bash League (BBL) concept was first bandied about Cricket Australia offices in Melbourne.
Born out of substandard crowds and flailing television ratings from the now defunct KFC Twenty20 (T20) national competition, it was clear that T20 cricket in Australia needed a serious shake up.
The success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and using a formula that has also seen T20 flourish throughout the English County scene, Cricket Australia went about creating a franchise based competition that would not only create a more international and exciting brand, but more importantly, bring the crowds back to cricket.
Mick McKenna, boss of the BBL, described his visions for the competition as: “Movie length cricket, loaded with pyrotechnics and featuring eight city based teams that will prove a palatable appetizer for the longer formats.”
In that, describing exactly what the BBL has become, an unashamed financial tool from Cricket Australia to bring people back to the game.
The link between Test Cricket and T20 is one often discussed, however usually to demonstrate how exciting and appealing T20 is to the younger generation, and the appeal it holds for women and people less inclined to the game.
Test cricket, however, much to the dismay of ‘cricket purists,’ has been given a use by date, labelled a form of the game that simply cannot exist in a society that demands a result, a society that due to increasing time demands simply cannot entertain the thought of a five-day match, for a game that has transcended generations.
That link, however, and the T20 revolution, could very well be the oil that revitalises the old Test cricket engine.
Consider this: there were no significant improvements in the television ratings for the two-match Test series versus New Zealand late last year, compared to previous years or series.
The BBL was subsequently launched after months of marketing fuelled hype and has coincided with the four-match Test series versus India.
The crowds and television ratings for the BBL have been up a staggering 65 percent and 95 percent respectively on last year’s KFC T20 figures. An amazing figure given the time-frame each franchise had to establish themselves.
The television audiences for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the Test in Sydney have risen by 35 percent on the corresponding Ashes series last year.
An extra 35 percent may not seem like a ground breaking figure, but when Cricket Australia generates 60 percent of its annual revenue from media rights, every television in every house, man cave, pub or office helps.
With the BBL due to renegotiate its television rights deal later this year for the 2012/2013 season, continued growth and support is sure to be noticed and the bargaining power and potential payday for Cricket Australia will be invaluable for cricket at all levels.
The BBL is not only bringing people back to the shorter form; it is bringing people back to cricket. It is generating interest in a game that in the last five years has struggled to justify its tag as ‘Australia’s favourite sport’. It is attracting a new demographic, and more importantly a new generation of supporters and consumers.
Perhaps Mr McKenna is onto something, and the link between T20 and Test cricket isn’t so black and white after all…
Jason Cave
Guest
The big test for the Big Bash League will be the second season. While the first season of the BBL was an outstanding success, the crucial test will come in season 2 of the BBL. It will be interesting to see if cricket lovers are still hooked on the BBL by probably the half-way mark of next season. What the BBL orgainisers and Cricket Australia needs to do is to 'go back to the future', that is, learn how World Series Cricket fared in its second year, in 1978-79.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
<-- *does not care, is in Final and Champion's League and Warnie's mob is not* Go Hoggie!
Johnno
Guest
And Reece you are the type of demographic T20 is chasing. Young, from a younger generation who may not have witnessed australias dominance 1995-2008. You are the type of fan who are the future of the game , like women are a new demograhic too , that T20 cricket is trying too target. Like 7evens rugby, T20 cricket is trying to bring new fans too the game which as you pointed out by watching test cricket is a win win for test cricket too.
Reece Jordan
Roar Pro
I'm a young fan who has never really grown up that into cricket bar a few Ashes series' here and there. My mate, who's a cricket die-hard, asked me if I wanted to go to the Melbourne Stars' first game of the season at the MCG and I figured 'Why not?' for $10. I went and absolutely loved it. Since then, I've been to every BBL game (Stars and Renegades) in Melbourne, went to my first day of Test cricket and watched every other day of the Australia / India series on TV. It may be 'hit and giggle' cricket, but I know it's brought me to the great game of cricket. If someone told me 12 months ago I'd have an amazing day watching Test Cricket at the MCG I might have laughed at them, but here we are.
Gleeso
Guest
Need I say more?
Titus
Guest
HAL needn't be concerned, it has a solid core of supporters on both TV and live. There is no argument that football is a game that needs to be grown in this country because we can't just start with all the best Aussies in our league and quality imports who would command multiple millions a season. I'm a cricket fan but I have zero interest in this Big bash circus and I really think that it will be the death of the gentlemans game, if world series cricket didn't already kill it.
sheek
Guest
Hi Rugger, What I said above is basically that today's players profess to love both forms - test & T20. But that might not hold true in 5 to 10 years time. Has CA thought that in trying to save test cricket, it might actually be sounding its death-knell, through the disparate resources given to T20?
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Gleeso attempted a response here, but it's borderline nasty and unnecessary. We publish articles without favour (yet some fear, especially when someone suggests that Tendulkar is better than Bradman, again) and as Geoff and Brett allude to, we have no bias. The BBL is a fascinating case in point, and The Roar is in some ways a proxy for interest and for sentiment. We ran all the articles both positive and negative about the BBL. Before the tournament commenced there were more negative, which was the overwhelming feeling in terms of manufactured teams, shiny colourful outfits and the Sheffield Shield suffering in between. The BBL started and it seems that big scores, plenty of sixes and a bit of Warney charisma soothed the fans - sure, it's still a bit plastic, but they're hitting sixes. Big ones. Lots of them. Maybe it's not all bad. Tristan - Ed.
Punter
Guest
Really appreciate your concern, but I assure no need to worry, we are enjoying our most exciting season ever in the HAL. There is no football fan who is worried, so I suggest you don't either. Football will always be the gateway to the world.
Johnno
Guest
Aren't all pro sports leagues in any sport or form of the sport, suppose to be set up to be 1 thing only big cash leagues,$$$$.
Brett McKay
Expert
I didn't get the memo, if we do...
Brett McKay
Expert
Their last game started at 4pm on a Wednesday!! But I agree that Bellerive should be pretty packed on Sunday night..
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Sheek, Mate, for the largest part of most discussions on here I am usually in agreement with you. However, not in this instance. Someone of the likes of David Warner who many consider the perfect prototype T20 player, proves through his recent exploits in the Test match arena to be the antithesis to your argument. It's all about emphasis, Test cricket in Australia receives a great deal of preferential emphasis from the media and so should it. I have a number of younger family member's under 15 playing Cricket at present and a couple of promising one's in that group. They love T20 but more importantly, they love Test Cricket just as much. What I think we will see in time (if we aren't already) is many of the skills developed in T20 slowly integrate themselves into Test cricket. T20 will lead to further evolution in Test Cricket but it certainly won't kill it off or change beyond recognition. If any form of Cricket is in danger of irrelevance in the near-ish future, it's the ODI format in my humble opinion.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
for your sake i hope so, because on the evidence i would say its touch and go.
Redb
Roar Guru
Its funny I went with a bunch of mates last night but did come home and suggest to my wife and daughter that they'd probably enjoy it due to the music, fireworks,etc. Interestingly the MCC where I was, was relatively full compared to the rest of the ground. Those dance videos with the Stars players were cringeworthy. The younger set would probably like them.
Punter
Guest
Don't worry for us KOG, we'll be alright.
Redb
Roar Guru
I don't believe that is the case either. The BBL gets a good run with negative and positive articles, seems to be more positive of late as the punters are writing more positive articles. Little to do with editorial policy I think, more a reflection of growing acceptance of the BBL concept.
Redb
Roar Guru
Brett, Not meaning to be harsh, but as far large spectator type events in terms of crowds and TV ratings, the BBL is probably the bigger than both the Shield & Ryobi Cup. The recent crowd at Hobart was less than 8K. They should fill Bellerive for the semi final. Interesting to note that 4 Tasmanians are in the Melb Stars lineup if you include Wade, but I guess all teams have a share of interstate talent.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
i agree that the HAL should be concerned. Some of the HAL clubs are really struggling to pull in a crowd. now that they are up an ever improving/gorwing BBL, that will hurt there crowds even more.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
bit harsh on Hobart there. didnt they get a sell out. i thi k there crowds have been good. they always look good on tv.