Opinion
Before the start of this BBL10 season, we all read a lot of talk about whether the new rules of the Big Bash would benefit the competition.
These rules were pioneered and implemented by Trent Woodhill in conjunction with Cricket Australia and were designed to eliminate the lull between overs 8-14 of the BBL.
These rules have been effective, so let’s look at the benefits of the rules.
Power surge
The power surge has been the best of these new rules. Moving two of the power play overs to later in the innings has completely changed the game. Teams have looked to use this differently, such as how aggressively a team goes after the bowling or when the power surge is taken.
On average, the best time to take the power surge from a runs point of view has been the 18th and 19th over where 25.5 runs have been scored for the loss of two wickets.
If not losing wickets is the priority, it seems to be more important to take the power surge earlier during the 12th and 13th overs where only 0.5 wickets are lost, although only 16.5 runs are scored in that time. This is because the deeper into an innings you get, the more likely teams are to take bigger risks.
Interestingly, the Heat have been the most effective during the surge, only losing five wickets and averaging over 26. Their aggressive style has benefited from the rule change.
(Photo by Chris Hyde – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
On the other hand, the Renegades – who have had a terrible season – have only averaged 16 runs during the surge, and the Hurricanes have lost the most wickets by far, losing 15.
Overall, the power surge has been good for the game. It has added more for the fans. It has added an extra layer of data to the game for cricket nerds like myself and more tactics for us to mull over.
Bash boost
The bonus point for the team ahead at the ten-over point of the game has undoubtedly been the most contentious of rules. It has provided an interesting dynamic to the matches, allowing teams who can’t chase huge totals to still gain points.
The Sydney Sixers – who sit at the top of the table – have the most bonus points, but the teams with the least are the last-placed Renegades and the Scorchers, who are in fifth position. The Scorchers’ recent success has come from batting first and scoring slowly to begin and then firing at the end.
This new rule has helped the side batting first, winning 23 times, compared to the bowling side, who only won 18 times. This is likely because the team who bats first can squeeze on when bowling around the ten-over mark to ensure the team batting second does not secure that point.
The issue I have with the bash boost is that it allows teams that are not even close to getting points in a match to earn points they simply do not deserve.
The Scorchers won this match by almost 100 runs, but since they started slowly, the Renegades managed to gain the bash boost point although they had lost seven wickets to that point. It does not sit well that a team can still earn points and be so far behind in a match.
X-Factor
The X-Factor or the super sub has been useless, with teams opting not to use it on most occasions. From over 80 opportunities, it has only been activated 14 times.
Overall, it has been used by bowling sides to sub out a bowler who has not quite looked on for the day. Twice it has been used for injuries, which is an effective use of a sub but is not why the X-Factor was designed.
The X-Factor does not work in the Big Bash League, simply because there is not enough depth in squads to have a top-tier quality player not in the starting 11. The only time a first-choice player was subbed in was when Chris Lynn was subbed in but this was because he was carrying an injury. While it is an exciting idea, it just has not worked in the Big Bash. It would likely work better in the IPL where the squads have such depth.
Overall, the new rules have added an extra and exciting dynamic. What I would suggest going forward is for the BBL to keep the power surge – the most influential and exciting new rule – and dispose of the other two new rules from next season as they are not seeming to have the intended effect.
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