It has been another huge summer for the Big Bash League — and cricket officials are discussing major rule changes that could make the competition even more entertaining for fans next season, a new report says.
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The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday morning that there have been high-level discussions in Cricket Australia about the changes, which include having a designated hitter and the potential of double play runouts.
Nothing is locked in yet and the key stakeholders are yet to be officially consulted over the changes, but the workshop ideas have an eye towards making matches quicker and more exciting, while also increasing the league’s appeal to the sport’s biggest names.
One of the potential changes includes having a designated hitter like baseball, or in this case a designated batter, in the XI.
This would allow each team to pick one player solely for their talents with the bat in hand.
The BBL experimented with the introduction of ‘X-Factor’ substitutes ahead of the 2020-21 season, which allowed teams to name two players to sub in after 10 overs of the first innings.
That rule was later scrapped, but this one would specifically allow some of the league’s most electric batters to rest and not waste any of the energy in the field, instead conserving all of it to put on a show for the fans by blasting boundaries instead.
The reduced workload could encourage more overseas stars to play in the BBL along with Australian players juggling commitments to the national team.
Under this new rule, teams would also pick a specialist fielder.
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Another change being considered is the possibility of double plays, but only on runouts, which would see both players dismissed if they are out of their crease and the bails are taken off at both ends.
The Herald reported that some people believe double-plays should also apply to a catch and then a run-out, as is the case in baseball, given it would discourage batters from backing up too far.
That change, however, is considered unlikely.
Elsewhere, another rule change that is being discussed according to the Herald is one which reduces the number of end changes in order to speed up the game and limit player fatigue.
If this rule change went through, teams would bowl 12 balls from one end and then swap, while captains would also be able to let one player bowl 12 consecutive deliveries over two overs in a row.
They would still only be allowed to bowl 24 balls, or four overs, in one match.
The Herald reported this is the most likely rule to be approved, but only if all stakeholders are on board with the change.
Finally, the Herald also reported that influential figures have suggested ways to make maidens more exciting — including a batter being given out if they have six dot consecutive balls bowled at them or a bowler being rewarded with a fifth over if they record a maiden.
