I’m crackers about Christmas cricket. Last week reports surfaced that Cricket Australia are looking at the prospect of Christmas Eve Big Bash cricket being played in Melbourne – and possibly even Christmas Day Big Bash cricket.
Regular listeners to the Australian Cricket Podcast will be aware that I have been banging on about wanting Christmas day cricket for years. All throughout my childhood the traditional Christmas Day fare of ham and turkey was just an entrée before the feast that is the Boxing Day Test began.
Recently in adulthood my desire for Christmas cricket has intensified, particularly with the advent of the Big Bash.
Why can’t I wash my turkey down with a fun T20 game and perhaps a few family giggles? Currently almost every summer night is livened up by Big Bash games except on two crucial evenings: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Without the razzle dazzle of the Big Bash, those nights seem laborious, empty and downright depressing.
I am very surprised that there has been so much resistance to the idea. This is a golden chance for cricket to make an even more dramatic imprint on the Australian summer.
Cricket Australia only needs to look at the success the NBA has had in the USA playing on Christmas Day.
The NBA played five games last Christmas day and it is seen as the unofficial ‘real’ start to the season.
Ratings for adults aged between 18 and 49 on the NBA Christmas Day games ranked first, second and third in viewership.
The NFL played two games last year on Christmas Day and only twelves games on Christmas Eve. On Thanksgiving Day, which in America is comparable to Christmas Day here, NFL games have been a tradition since 1920.
I am convinced the target market of the Big Bash, young families, would love to kick back and wind down with a Big Bash game on the TV and the familiar tones of Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting.
Financially it could be a massive windfall for Cricket Australia. Heck, with our divisive multitude of football codes a Christmas day cricket match could turn into our version of the ‘Superbowl’. Advertisers would be queuing up with celebrity ads, we could have a half time show and it could be a bonanza for cricket.
Crowds would flock through the gates to have a great night out with their loved ones or in some cases go with mates to get away from their families.
The only real thing seeming to stand in the way is this antiquated notion that cricket shouldn’t be played on a religious day of significance and a public holiday. Yet Australia has no official state religion and many other sectors work on Christmas day including hospitality and healthcare.
I love cricket and I love watching cricket. I want the game to do well and one thing cricket proved with the success of the Women’s Big Bash is that great things can be achieved with swift action.
It is time now for the Big Bash Headquarters to act swiftly and give me, and cricket fans all around the country, the Christmas present we want most of all.
If you want to hear me put this, and other great ideas, to the Chief of the Big Bash Anthony Everard have a listen to this episode of the Australian cricket podcast.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I can see a BBL Christmas Eve game, either Melbourne or Sydney derby. I don't expect anything on Christmas Day, even with a BBL game the kids have new toys they won't be sick of until the next day. But I often use Christmas Day for cheap flights to Melbourne - and rarely watch the BBL - so have my own biases.
Slane
Guest
Yeah it's so hard working 8 hours and being paid for 24. So much suffering! My Father has just finished 'working' 84 hours this Easter. Poor old bloke suffered so much by not sitting around eating chocolate for 3 days. Never mind he just paid for most of his Italian vacation next month.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
I get it. I do. We want to have our Christmas lunch/ dinner, muck around with a few presents with the cricket going in the background, then as the night goes on our attention becomes gradually more fixed to the match at hand, hopefully a thriller, and the whole notion of the boring family Christmas is transformed. Heck, some even have the meal then head out to the game and make a real day of it! But I feel as though we get so caught up in money making, advertising and marketing opportunities that we forget those who are most important to the cause- the players. Along with umpires, officials, ground staff etc who have to give up their Christmas day. When we think more broadly, Christmas day cricket just isn't that viable. Plus, it makes the Boxing Day test that little bit more special.
Bakkies
Guest
'Cricket Australia only needs to look at the success the NBA has had in the USA playing on Christmas Day.' Easier to do when you celebrate Christmas on the 24th.
Andy
Guest
Yeah its the staff that would suffer, and i cant see that many people going to the games so they would lose money.
Brian
Guest
Should have happened already. We dont shut churches down on grand final day.
JGK
Roar Guru
That's wha the months of April to September are for.
Kavvy
Guest
Get a life brother! sheesh
JoM
Guest
It isn't only them though. Staff have to be rostered for ticket sales, food and drinks, carpark and whatever else.
Brad
Guest
The afl now have good friday so I dont see why CA dont. No one wants to work christmas but is that not why they are paid big bucks for 6 weeks work to allow for no down time. I would love to work flat out for 6 weeks without a day off then have the next month doing nothing. Then just have it a Etihad so a small crowd wont matter and channel 10 can sort out the money with the clubs since they will be all for it.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I'm in
Wayne
Roar Guru
The players should be able to spend one day with their families too, plus all the stadium officials etc.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Absolutely no-one would go, but the TV ratings would be enormous. It would be great for the BBL; but the team hosting it would take a hit at the box office. And with only four home games, for one of them to be then would devalue memberships.
Peeeko
Guest
Christmas Day in most of Usa is freezing with people stuck inside