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There could be some very weird diamond ducks in the Big Bash with huge rule tweak

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7th October, 2021
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The Big Bash is taking drastic measures to return games to a three-hour maximum duration with a bizarre new rule proposed to speed up play.

Last summer incoming batters were supposed to be ready to face up in 60 seconds but no penalties were handed out when the rule was broken.

As a result, a bowler would be able to start bowling after 75 seconds even if the new batter isn’t ready to face.

Under the proposal, the timed-out laws would be tweaked so that a new batter can’t be timed out but would have to stand aside and watch the bowler try and hit the stumps if they weren’t ready in time.
The bowler would get one shot at hitting the stumps. If they miss, the batter stays. If they hit, the batter is sent packing before they’ve even faced a ball.

It would be a diamond duck, but not as we know it.

All forms of men’s cricket have struggled with slow over rates, but the Big Bash is firmly in the sights of Cricket Australia who want to ensure the pace of play is kept up and families can go to the games knowing exactly how long they will run.

The proposed rules will be put to players in the coming days.

If it’s adopted the Big Bash, as well as the Women’s Big Bash, would look very different this summer.

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A range of other time-saving measures are also being looked at including bowling multiple overs from one end and limiting drink intervals and equipment changes on-field.

“We know Big Bash fans want to watch fast-paced, exciting cricket on TV and in the stadium,” CA General Manager of BBL Alistair Dobson told cricket.com.au

“We have spent the off-season looking at ways to keep the game moving and are close to finalising what this might look like.”

“We’re really mindful of the length of games. Our data shows they’ve started to lengthen more than we’d probably like in the last couple of years and that’s something we’re looking at closely in terms of what options we’ve got.”

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