New Big Bash League bonus point rules could lead to more blowouts as teams staring down defeat opt to chance their hand to gain some reward.
Under rules introduced this season, the side ahead run-wise at ten overs receives one competition point and the winner gets three.
The Melbourne Renegades chose to chase the bonus point on Sunday night after losing early wickets in pursuit of the Sydney Sixers’ mammoth 4-205.
But it all went pear-shaped.
They were bowled out for 60 – the second lowest BBL score – in 64 balls and missed out on the bonus point.
It was the biggest run defeat in the tournament’s history.
Renegades coach Michael Klinger defended the decision but said it was possible there would be further lopsided games this summer as teams put their eggs in the one-point basket.
He said Melbourne shifted focus after they were four down for 20-odd runs inside five overs.
Shaun Marsh. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
“The hard thing is, I don’t know if it’s the greatest spectacle,” Klinger said.
“But at the same time it gives good content for the commentators and broadcasters to talk about.
“I haven’t seen any of the footage, so I’m not sure how it (the chase) came across.”
Klinger said it was an obvious tactical choice to aim for the bonus point against the Sixers but conceded the chase turned into a “train wreck”.
“The discussion was ‘is a point more important, or net run rate?’,” he said.
“Obviously we didn’t get either. If we were one, two down we could have taken the game deep.”
Sydney young gun Josh Philippe, who set up his side’s win with 95 from 57 balls, backed the bonus point initiative.
“When you are a few wickets down it probably becomes more important to try and go for it,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s any problem with what they did. They just didn’t execute and we bowled really well.”
The bonus point is one of three rule changes implemented this season.
An X factor substitute, who can be brought in to the match at the ten-over mark of the first innings, has not been used by any team so far.
The two-over power surge, nominated fielding restrictions outside the initial power play, has worked well for some batting teams and poorly for others.
The Renegades will rest skipper Aaron Finch from their next match on Saturday against the Hobart Hurricanes but expect to have Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad available.
JGK
Roar Guru
We might have something similar tonight with the Thunder losing 3 early wickets. They may as well try and get the bonus point from here because they aren’t going to win this one. Interestingly, I reckon you could use the DLS calculator to give a sense of the likelihood of a successful bonus point chase.
Gee
Roar Rookie
So with this rule a side with 10 wins with no bonus points will finish the year with 30 points while a side that won 6 games with 13 bonus points will get 31 points. That would delight me if I was a supporter of the first side and didn’t make finals : Probably won’t happen but then again some bright spark thought the World Cup wouldn’t be decided on who hit the most 4s either.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
top comment another CA rubbish rule change.
Marty
Roar Rookie
We now have the truly bizarre situation where, through its actions, CA are reducing the game time available to players to improve their skills. How does that make us better at T20 as a nation? Isn’t that supposed to be the number one priority of any sporting administrative body? What rubbish this is.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
It’s rather ironic. The 10 over bonus point rule was designed to generate additional interest & provide more entertainment. However they didn’t count on teams batting second with little chance of winning would chase the 10 over target thus resulting in the game finishing early. I wonder if we will see a game where the team batting first suffer a collapse & their innings doesn’t last far beyond 10 overs. The match would conclude early & the TV commentators would be able to provide the lucky viewers with even further drivel to fill in time. Riveting stuff.
Paul
Roar Guru
Its' great the stupidity of this rule change has come out so early in this tournament. This should only add more fuel to the feud between the broadcasters and CA, with a rubbish game over and done with in next to no time, so less ads space to sell.