The Big Bash League (BBL) introduced three new rules – The Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost – to come into effect from the upcoming season of the T20 league, but fans weren’t too impressed with the innovations.

The Power Surge basically divides the Powerplay into two parts – a compulsory four-over powerplay at the start of the innings, with the batting side having the option to use the remaining two overs at any point after the 11th over. The ‘X-Factor’ rule is the reinstated super sub rule that allows both teams to make a substitution at 10-over point of the first innings of the match.

Bash Boost rewards teams for their adventurous approach. If the team chasing crosses the score their opponents had in the first innings at the 10-over mark, they will receive a bonus point, even if they go on to lose the match. Should they fail to equal or exceed the first-inning score at the 10-over mark, the bowling team will receive a bonus point.

The rules are certainly creative, but they have not been met with universal approval from fans, a lot whom pointed out each rule’s shortcomings and how teams could use it to their advantage while compromising on the quality of the event.

I can see a team being 4/40 after 5 overs, chasing 200, and just deciding to chase the bonus point. They’ll realise they’ve got almost no chance of winning, so they’ll slog their way to the 10th over and claim the bonus point with 9 down.

— Transistor McGready (@GigaBerta) November 15, 2020

The idea that the winner takes all, some said, was sacrosanct in sport.

Most of the sports have this simple philosophy. Winner takes all. It doesn’t matter if you lose by one run or one wicket or your runnrate was 10 rpo throughout. The loser shouldn’t get any points.

— Raj (@justwondered1) November 15, 2020

Ridiculous. Which focus group came up this this garbage? Here’s an idea. 11 players a team. 20 overs each. Most runs win?

— Mathew Thompson (@MathewJThompson) November 15, 2020

Others said it’s best to keep things simple.

I’m a fan of the BBL. Before my kid was born I attended every Thunder home game in Sydney. I’m the kind of person who you want watching on TV, but this takes this further away from being a proper sport. Please just play the game and let it speak for itself.

— Ben Raue (@benraue) November 15, 2020

As always, a few fans had their own fun.

Rejected Big Bash rules: The Mitch/Marsh, where the team with the most Mitches and/or Marshes gets 5 extra runs; the Bucket, where a bowler must wear a bucket on his head for an entire over; the John, where both captains must feed info to bookies.

— Tim Lowell (@timlowell) November 15, 2020

All that is left is one hand one bounce.

— Josh Humphries (@Humpty_J) November 15, 2020