Australia, we’ve arrived. The time for 24(ish) hours of rolling cricket is here as we kick off the BBL for 2019.
Public engagement should be at an all-time high.
A hugely successful and tantalising WBBL, massive international signings, and less-than-attractive Test contests mean Cricket Australia can expect millions to be tuning in and engaging with cricket’s most important form of the game, bringing in a swathe of new fans as a result.
Ahead of festivities, let’s note the characteristics of each team, and what that might say about the fans who are splashing out extortionate amounts of cash to buy their jerseys.
Sydney Thunder
You’re constantly asking mates around to catch all the IPL action in the offseason, and the Caribbean, Pakistani and Bangladesh leagues are pretty awesome as well. You swear that you’ll be none for a hundred every game, but have a tendency to turn it off if you bowl first.
Sydney Sixers
You’re always aghast by the lack of coverage given to the Sheffield Shield. After all, throw a BBL cap on those players and you have fans coming in the tens of thousands. Maximums are cool and all, but a good drive along the ground is the best image the game has to offer.
Melbourne Renegades
You’re probably the one Twitter user out of your friendship group, and you swear by podcasts. You also never turn the game off until the last ball is bowled – you just never know what might happen! Cricket memes take up most of your scrolling time.
Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Melbourne Stars
You spend your weekends at the Corner Hotel swearing by the legitimacy of ODI cricket as the purest form of the game. Other teams just need to ‘train harder’ if they’re to have a chance, but if your team fails it’s because of ‘international commitments’. All you want is for the old tri-series format to return. Also, Kevin Pietersen should definitely have played the World Cup before retiring.
Adelaide Strikers
How great is Adelaide? You can buy your own house, it’s not too far to get to the beach, and there are some nice spots for dinner too. Also, how great is summer? Stumps cartwheeling and sixes sailing over Rundle Street. Go Crows!
Hobart Hurricanes
You definitely live in Tasmania – have all your life, and will until your dying days. You sobbed into your pillow every night when George Bailey retired, and Matty Wade posters decorate your wall. Your cousin went to high school with Tim Paine.
Perth Scorchers
A good contest sounds great on paper, but really you love seeing your squad dish out a good thumping. Michael Klinger is without a doubt the best since Don Bradman. The most important part of the coverage to you is the pitch report.
Brisbane Heat
Cricket is cool and all, but it’s something that you do with your mates. Still. You’re keen to see AB de Villiers whack them around a bit. If Chris Lynn or Ben Cutting fail to fire though then your not against leaving the ground. You’ll still rock up if they’re bottom of the table though, just to see them.
Paul
Roar Rookie
No, here isn't a natural divide but the two home grounds are on the far east and far west of the CBD fringes. I'm not sure if there's a demographic difference in the membership. My son's junior cricket club which is in the inner Northwest of Melbourne has a decent mix of green and red shirts at training but there are also a couple of Sydney Sixers fans as well.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Well done! I can confirm the validity of your Renegades synopsis :-)
Jeff
Roar Rookie
My favourite BBL team tells me I live in Perth! Toyed with supporting the Melbourne Stars, but ultimately couldn't see the logic in it.
Wayne Kerr
Guest
I've never understood it with Melbourne as there isn't exactly a geographical divide with their home grounds, unlike Sydney. It must be an interesting job in both Melbourne's teams marketing departments in trying to sell memberships. I assumed you were being sarcastic about Klinger with Scorchers, he should have retired before the start of last years BBL.
AREH
Roar Guru
Quite like this - well done!
McBumbler
Guest
I thought a persons BBL team would based on a geographic indication of where they live. Unless you are one of those people who lives in say Adelaide but goes for Brisbane Have a fruitful and productive holiday everyone.