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Opinion

A bold plan for a trans-Tasman BBL

7th May, 2020
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Roar Rookie
7th May, 2020
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The Big Bash League has been remarkably stable for a tournament that’s been around for nearly a decade.

Former Brisbane Heat ‘bash brother’ Brendon McCullum recently suggested a New Zealand team enter the BBL, and it’s a great idea.

But why not go a bit further and include four new teams?

The four new sides would be in New Zealand, Canberra, Gold Coast and Geelong.

The supersized BBL would be played in three groups of four.

Group A
Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Canberra, Perth Scorchers.

Group B
Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, Geelong, New Zealand.

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Group C
Brisbane Heat, Gold Coast, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes.

Every team would play each other once (11 games) and then play a second match against their group rivals, making for a total of 14 games.

The top two from each group will play in a top-six finals series, with the best two teams earning a double chance. The top six will be ranked on overall record rather than who by wins the three groups. That ‘conference winner earns a home final’ format has caused too many problems in Super Rugby.

Handscomb with the gloves

(AAP Image/Rob Blakers)

Here’s how the finals will work.

Week 1
Elimination final 1: third vs fifth (loser eliminated)
Elimination final 2: fourth vs sixth (loser eliminated)

Week 2
Qualifying final: First vs Second (winner straight to grand final; loser to preliminary final)
Semi-final: winner of EF1 vs winner of EF2

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Week 3
Preliminary final: loser of qualifying final vs winner of semi-final

Week 4
Grand final: winner of qualifying final vs winner of preliminary final

As well as expanding the number of teams in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales and the ACT, placing a team in New Zealand allows for more double-header matches due to the time difference or triple-headers if a game in Perth is included. Each Saturday would be a double and/or triple-header running from Saturday afternoon to Saturday evening – heaven for cricket fans and broadcasters.

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Canberra, Geelong and Gold Coast are all viable expansion areas in Australia as they’ve hosted BBL games in the past, with the Thunder treating Manuka Oval like a second home ground.

More importantly, a New Zealand BBL team will hopefully strengthen the Black Caps in international cricket.

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