I am an unapologetic fan of the Big Bash, which has been my pre-vaccine vaccine to this winter of discontentment. I love that it is on most nights and the cricket can just flow over you – it is the non-pharmacologic therapeutic intervention I didn’t know I needed.
Nonetheless, it could do with some feedback from a fan.
Match times
The matches have become too long. Some matches were going past 11 o’clock which is unsuitable for young families watching at home – one certainly cannot expect young fans to attend matches if games finish this late.
Prolonged match times are a product of the revamped structure, with ten over breaks, unnecessary 12th-man interruptions, and possibly broadcasters trying to understandably get more return on their investment.
Cut the ten over breaks, prohibit interruptions where possible, reduce the innings break, and Have officials police the over rates.
Games need to be wrapped up within three hours, starting at 6:30pm.
New rules
The new rules have been adequate.
I accept the Bash Boost point has contributed to more lopsided results but I’ve also found it an interesting tactical talking point.
Bash Boost points are more tangible than net run rates as a ladder determinant. I would be tempted to extend the field restrictions by an over upfront, as this would further limit the physiological dead time in the middle of an innings. To counter this, I’d allow one bowler to have five overs. If we want to see the best bowlers against the best batsmen, this idea makes sense.
The x-factor hasn’t been regularly employed. I’d be happy to keep the current substitution criteria but I’d enable it to happen anytime rather than strictly at the ten-over mark.
Commentators
Considering the commentary talent is split between networks, both teams have been reasonable. It frustrates me that networks continue to employ former players – just because they could play the game doesn’t make them good commentators. It is an entirely different skill set. If anything it could hinder their commentary performance as they will be less objective.
Scheduling
The season was too long.
Cricket Australia got away with this one, as we were so sport-thirsty with COVID, but the season needs to be shortened.
It is unfair to criticise the scheduling too much, given the obvious complexities of the pandemic, but it would be preferable to schedule it outside the domestic Test series to make our heroes eligible.
Only four teams should make the final as when five out of the eight qualify, it devalues the season’s regular fixtures.
But despite arguing for a shorter season, given Canberra hosted several matches with aplomb, I would consider adding an ACT team. Perhaps this could be like the youth Cricket Australia XI team – just as long as they don’t recall Merv Hughes out of retirement, like the old Canberra Comets did.
Areas for improvement
It’s unfair that full-strength beer is in the members at the SCG but not in the outer. If we expect fans to turn out and pay top dollar, we should show them some respect with full-strength beer.
One of my favourite memories from domestic one-day cricket was the strategically-placed Mercantile Mutual signs on the fence. If players hit them, there was a handsome cash prize – when Steve Waugh hit the sign in 1995 he won $140,000. Bring this back!
In the New Zealand domestic competition, a certain amount of fans are given bright coloured T-shirts and if they catch a six, there is a cash prize. This could add entertainment value – perhaps KFC could offer that prize to people if they catch a six in their bucket hat?
Put heartrate monitors on the players as I’d love to see the batters’ heart rates in the final over when runs are needed.
Finally, we have all see the success of the pink day at the SCG so why not add a charity round?
I would love to hear further feedback or thoughts on how we can improve this great game.
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
Thx Simoc, diminishing the FTA was a significant loss. IPL is certainly a higher standard but I wouldn’t want the big bash to turn into a poor mans IPL. Why don’t we get NZ players? Colin Munro and Adam Milne play. Previously we had mccullum
Simoc
Guest
I agree with the to long season> It needs to be January only and FTA should be every night in the same timeslot. The overall standard is to low still but its good to see class like Vince playing plus Alex Hales and the Poms. But we don't get to see the best Indian, Pakistan or NZ players. The stupid new rules add zero to the spectacle but give the commentators something to rabbit on about. The IPL is just such a vastly superior comp. and requires none of these mindless interventions. They need a better carrier than the poorly run 7 network.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
With you there Rellum. I even find it hard to believe that there are people who still get their news from TV! But it forcing a hit and giggle to be shuffled around the channels, doesn't matter to me, it isn't like there won't be another game in a coupla minutes that most people will not be able to tell you who played and what the result was. It is laughable though that a tv network with multiple channels thinks it's professional to force viewers to another channel to keep watching. There's surely a danger they won't bother because like you and me, they just didn't care about the program enough.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Finally understood that in this day and age people can find another channel on the remote? The Tests they were still going between 7 & Mate, advising different states that the all important news was coming, so switch over. You are right though T, for a game they are primarily aiming at kids, the later start is crazy. Maybe their research shows kids aren't governed by bedtimes anymore with free range parents.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It starts at 6 here. It starts on 73 and switches over at 7 to 70. I rarely ever see the start to a game because of work or kids and if I do turn it on there is only a few overs left. Not that I tune in much because I just dont care.
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
thx I2I. Agree but they use 7mate now anyway
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
thx Gee...sounds like a Gridiron approach
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
thx Lukestar. I like the incentive/reward idea...maybe 5 wickets is a big ask though and we'd never see it. Make it 3?
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
thx Reg, keeping it in school holidays makes sense as young fans are your target demographic. Those interviews are gimicks...but that's kind of what the Big bash is
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
thx Noodles. "Canberra Tonkers"?...its got a nice ring to it
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
haha - ill sign your petition
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
thx DF, totally agree.
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
I'd argue there's more objective commentators than Andrew Symonds and his hogpile
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
Thx blewett. I love the ideas. Pinch hitter is a great idea but would he be allowed to bat again?
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
6.30 start isn't likely with Ch7 anal about their news being on time on the 'main channel'.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Make the X factors normal interchange players like most sports do. You could sub out two bowlers when you are batting then sub out two batsmen when it’s time to bowl.
Colin morgan
Guest
Good thoughts . Umpiring needs 3rd umpire but while game continues . With slow over rate . Bowling first you have to bowl 20 overs but when batting you only get to face the overs you bowled in the actual allowed time . And second bowling team only has allowed time to bowl its overs
Lukestar
Roar Rookie
Good article TB, agree with most of your points. More crowd involvement can only help while there are more stoppages now. Regarding a bowler getting 5 overs to bowl, if after getting say 4/5 wickets in designated overs, then is able to bowl an extra over as reward. Cheers.
Reg Grundy
Guest
Overall, I honestly don't really mind watching T20 and in particular the BBL. I would reduce the season until Australia Day and kill off final 5 format. Lets be honest its CA milking it for extra games. Likewise with timeouts to try and maximise BBLs value for commerical tv. I really dislike player, coach and support staff interviews during the game, are they honestly necesary, do they really add anything extra to the home viewer? Get rid of all the new rule chnges except Bash Booster. I still haven't yet made my mind up about power play changes. DRS is a no brainer to bring in (try and speed up the process for BBL), as there has been some really poor umpiring decisions, eg Mitch Marsh. Also, penalise slow over rates. I have only watched 7s BBL coverage this season so I cannot comment on Foxtel. It grates me that JB calls 6s maximums why doesn't he call 1s as minumums? I have liked 7 trying to add a bit more of a technical element like in their test cricket coverage with BBL. Marr annoys me with his lecturing about BLM kneeling that it is the most important issue that the world is facing (sick of Sixers with it, once is enough than it becomes a form of tokenism before every home game). It does also annoy me with the irrelvant ground commentary, like Mel having to interview the bloke who took the one handed catch without spilling his beer.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
A further comment. I advocate BBL be played all year round so Channel 7 could consign rubbish such as Home and Away & Holey Moley to the garbage tip where they belong.