The Big Bash League, by anyone’s set of standards, has been a resounding success since its launch in 2011.
Its quickfire season of quickfire games has allowed fans to immerse themselves in a cricketing feast without it becoming stale.
Add in free-to-air coverage allowing fans to watch a game of cricket just about every night of the school holidays, and there’s little wonder the competition has been so bulletproof.
But with the success has come criticism, particularly around the sheer volume of cricket being played at the moment. Not only do we have a summer of supporting the national team in home Tests, one-dayers and Twenty20s from November through to the end of February, there’s another entire tournament every other day of the week.
The beauty of the Big Bash – or one of them, anyway – is it goes exactly as long as it needs to, and no longer.
Or at least it did, anyway.
Today’s announcement that there will be an extra eight games during BBL07 is as sure a sign of how valuable the tournament is to Cricket Australia, and no-one should blame them for wanting to cash in with the next TV deal up for grabs.
But the expansion is a mistake.
The Big Bash currently comes and goes in the space of just over a month, giving fans enough time to engage with it before its ‘hit and giggle’ nature renders the competition dull and gimmicky.
Another week or so of games – CA is yet to announce how exactly they’ll fit in the extra matches – opens up the risk of fans becoming bored with the spectacle.
There are logistical issues which also make the move a risky one. The biggest crowds often flock to the Big Bash after Christmas – take the SCG, for example, where the Sixers’ lone pre-Christmas match attracted a crowd of around 20,000, compared to two of 30,000 and one of just under 40,000 for their three other games – so moving the start of the season forward offers no bonafide benefit.
Push the finals back, however, and suddenly the tournament’s crescendo falls outside the attendance utopia that is the holidays. The number of parents willing to let their kids stay up late to go to – or even watch on TV – a Big Bash game with school the next morning will no doubt fall sharply.
For a competition which has capitalised on its family-friendly reputation absolutely brilliantly, this cannot be understated.
Then there’s the poor timing of the expansion. That it comes at the same time as TV negotiations are ramping up is no coincidence, but it means the expanded competition gets its first run while a home Ashes series is being played.
Of all the summers of cricket in Australia, that is the one where the smorgasbord of international cricket – ODIs included – will provide a stern test for the Big Bash.
Cricket’s powers that be need look no further to America and the 16-game NFL season – the most attended sport in the world by average crowd, as well as the holder of a neat little $4.25 billion broadcast deal – for proof that less is more.
For a competition devoid of any history which demands the loyalty of fans, the Big Bash would do well to remember that.
Unfortunately, that looks to have been forgotten already.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
What about the WBBL? Their games are televised. How will the extra games affect their attendances and television support? Sadly, CA has just seen the dollar signs and forgotten everything else.
Zozza
Guest
Your opinion, in this case, is correct, It will become a fact,
Zozza
Guest
The author is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT correct. I can only take so much 20/20 cricket, and the amount played current in the BBL is perfect. As usual though, the administrators become greedy and this ill timed, ill thought out, money grubbing decision by shortsighted officals could well spell the beginning of the end of this competition. Less is definitely more, and the analogy with the NFL is spot on.
Baz
Guest
keep it in school holidays its great and family focused. also no alochol advertising which is also kid friendly
Baz
Guest
i actually enjoyed the wbbl cause it on in afternoon and not finish after 10 i start work early and out of house before 6 so earlier not so bad.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
There's always another alternative to expansion. And that's relocation. Gold Coast Renegades anyone? How about the Canberra Thunder?
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Mate, Sheek once was a proponent of a 3rd tier Rugby competition to replace the ARC (which he was a supporter of) when it was canned by the ARU under John O'Neill. He had a model and everything. Then the NRC happened. Featuring teams essentially along the exact same lines as the ARC. He is absolitely against. Why? Not because of team locations or numbers but because of what they are called. Seriously. Forget the fact that we once again have a 3rd tier competition and that it features 8 teams (9 next season with Fiji joining) or even that it's sustainable. No, the names are exactly what je wanted so it must be rubbish (it's not, it's actually bloody great Rugby). It that a sign of a reasonable individual?
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Sheek's not a fan of anything that doesn't fit into his 'good old days' take on life.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
The point was about saturation. People may onlu follow two or so College teams but the overall market is saturated by teams splitting the audience at least 50 differemt ways a weekend.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
I said ODIs, not tests.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
Sheek, once again you are an island of sensible in a sea of dribble.
bobburra
Guest
Computers are wonderful, how I managed to not finish my comment, I hyave no idea, however to continue, give the public more of the same and they will tire of it. extending the format by an extra 8 games or so I think will do just that, kill it off. People will find something new to amuse themselves with. That's my view anyway. Please remember, opinions are like backsides, everybody has one.
bobburra
Guest
Firstly, let me say I am not a fan of 20/20. But yes, how to kill off a money spinner, just add more of it. G
Swampy
Guest
Not really - most people only follow one or two teams in college: the college they went to and their home state/town college. There is interest in the big clashes nominally but no one watches all the games.
BrainsTrust
Guest
I haven’t played Big Bash the last two years, it’s been great for me to actually not play,” Warner said. “If we look back to the (2013-14) Ashes ... I played a Big Bash game and came out in the second over (of a Test) and tried to hit one out of the park. “I was in Twenty20 mode and I felt that really hindered my preparation. “I didn’t want to have that again and that’s genuinely the reason why I’m not playing Big Bash.” Warner is alone among Australia’s batsmen. Every man and his dog know this already.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Looks like Ricky's knock did the trick, plus... North Melbourne @NMFCOfficial 3m3 minutes ago Peter Siddle's 6 off the last ball gives #nmfc the win! More than 10,000 people here to support the @PontingFdn #RickysBGOC
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Just to change subject slightly - Ricky's Big Game of Cricket is currently on in Lonnie, raising money for charity. Ricky just went out for 62 off 33 balls. He's captaining North, chasing Hawthorn's 174 off 20 overs (which strikes me as a pretty decent score). Hawks are captained by Damien Fleming.
Boadicea Iceni
Roar Rookie
They might also might like to remember that there is a limit to what even other cricket lovers in the family are prepared to put up with... We do have three TVs, but just occasionally even I would like to look at something on the best screen other than cricket.. :-)
Paul D
Roar Guru
Criticising. Sheek is not a fan of the big bash and thinks things were better back in the day.
Bakkies
Guest
With separate squads sent in for one dayers after a test series no visiting team will agree to playing a one off match.