Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
The 10th edition of the KFC Big Bash League will feature three rule innovations designed to encourage and reward positive, high-scoring cricket.In KFC BBL|10, the batting side will be given more control over its innings with the addition of the Power Surge. The power play has been shortened to four overs, fixed to the start of the innings. An additional two over “Power Surge” can be taken by the batting team any time from the 11th over onwards.
Teams will also have the ability to change strategy at the 10 over mark of the first innings and substitute in an X-Factor player. This player, named as either the 12th or 13th player on the team sheet, can replace any player who is yet to bat or bowled no more than one over.
Endeavour and enterprise will be rewarded in the second innings with the introduction of the Bash Boost. Four competitions points will be up for grabs per match – three points for the overall win and one Bash Boost point, awarded half way through the second innings. The team chasing will receive the Bash Boost if they’re above the equivalent 10-over score of their opposition. If they’re trailing, the fielding side will receive the point.
The evolution of the KFC BBL Playing Conditions follows a raft of star player signings across the league and the introduction of a third overseas player in a club’s playing XI.
A full schedule has been released for the upcoming season, with venues for the 21 matches to be played in December confirmed. The season will begin in Tasmania and ACT with the first match on December 10, with matches moving to Queensland and South Australia later in the month.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Head of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“The introduction of these new innovations is yet another reason why the KFC BBL|10 season is set up to be the most exciting in the League’s history.
“The Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost prioritise scoring, exciting cricket, introduce new strategic angles and ensure there’s always something to play for throughout the entire match.
“We’re confident our fans will love what these innovations bring to the game as many of the world’s top T20 players, plus our next generation of Australian stars, bring them to life on field.”
Trent Woodhill, the KFC Big Bash League’s player acquisition and cricket consultant, said:
“The best T20 leagues across the globe are the ones that continue to innovate, push the boundaries and challenge the status quo. The introduction of these new Playing Conditions firmly puts the KFC Big Bash League in that category.
“There’s now more emphasis on the role of the coach, more for our fans to look forward to and more for our broadcasters to speak to during each KFC BBL game.
“Despite the challenges of this winter, we’ve got more star overseas players coming to the KFC BBL than ever before and now an ambitious set of innovations to shake up the League. I can’t wait to see our players and coaches embrace these new concepts.”
