The next edition of Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) could be preceded by a draft for overseas players and see a host of tweaks to the tournament playing conditions, including allowing for player substitutions, according to a report on ESPNcricinfo.
The joint Cricket Australia-Australian Cricketers’ Association and umpires playing conditions committee is due to meet in July, and, according to the report, a succession of rule changes will be proposed by the BBL’s managers.
These include bonus points available to teams for their progress at the 10-over point of an innings, in-game player substitutions, the mandatory opening six-over powerplay being reduced to four overs, with two overs available to be taken at another point in the innings, a wide to be followed by a free-hit, as is currently the case for no-balls, and the addition of extra breaks for advertisements and player strategy after every five overs.
Overseas players, currently signed by clubs privately on an ad-hoc basis, could be allocated using a player draft system instead.
What is reportedly not up for debate is the length of the tournament, which has come under fire from fans and pundits. The duration currently stands at 61 games, with each team playing every other twice before a convoluted series of play-off matches.
