The Cricketer has all of the information you need to know ahead of BBL 11…
The 11th edition of the men's Big Bash, the T20 competition run by Cricket Australia.
The Big Bash begins on December 5, when Sydney Sixers take on Melbourne Stars, finishing almost two months later on January 28 at the end of a weeklong playoff phase.
This year's tournament is scheduled to take place at 14 grounds across Australia, with Junction Oval set to stage a men's Big Bash match for the first time, with Geelong and Coffs Harbour both returning to the list.
Perth Stadium and Adelaide Oval are due to host seven fixtures each. Venues could change, however, should Covid force border closures or restrictions.
The competition will feature the same teams as have competed for the last decade: Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.
Perth Scorchers, who recently won the Women's Big Bash, are the joint-most successful team in the tournament's history, having won three times, along with Sydney Sixers.
Qais Ahmad is back in the Big Bash, this time with Melbourne Stars (Steve Bell/Getty Images)
The competition is a double round-robin with three points available for a win, one for no result, and none for a defeat.
It had been mooted after a series of umpire howlers last year that a decision review system might be added this year, but that will not happen for another 12 months, with Covid restrictions making its implementation too taxing at this time.
The Bash Boost – the bonus point awarded to the team with more runs at the 10-over stage –remains following its introduction last year, as will the Power Surge, a two-over batting powerplay that can be taken at any point after the first four overs. The addition of X-Factor substitutes is also being carried over into a second year.
There is a single new innovation as well, with batters to be given 75 seconds to reach the crease once a wicket falls. If they do not arrive within that time, the bowler will be handed a free delivery at the stumps, which will be treated as part of the innings, going down as a dot if the bowler misses.
Defending champions Sydney Sixers successfully retained their 2019/20 crown, leading the group at the end of the round-robin stage and then carrying on to claim the trophy. Their opener, Josh Philippe, was named player of the tournament, while Alex Hales continued his remarkable record in the competition the season’s leading run-scorer.
Jhye Richardson earned an IPL deal on the back of taking 29 wickets – the most of anyone – as Perth Scorchers emerged as Sixers’ closest challengers.
Aaron Finch has handed over the Melbourne Renegades captaincy to Nic Maddinson (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
There is an English flavour to the overseas roster this year, with 15 players making the long trip over from England – some with experience at international level and others who remain uncapped. George Garton is the latest Sussex players to earn a season with Jason Gillespie's Adelaide Strikers, lining up alongside Rashid Khan.
Ben Duckett and Tom Abell will make their debuts for Brisbane Heat, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman – along with Rashid, Zahir Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Qais Ahmad – providing a significant Afghan spin-bowling presence. Sandeep Lamichhane, the tremendous Nepalese wrist-spinner, is another world-class import. He will turn out for Hobart Hurricanes alongside the Yorkshire pairing of Harry Brook and Jordan Thompson.
Melbourne Renegades are the only team with four registered overseas options: Zahir and Nabi are joined by Reece Topley, the English left-armer, and – most fascinatingly – Unmukt Chand. The Indian batter played for three different IPL teams and has been playing in the United States' Minor League Cricket competition. He becomes the first Indian to feature in the men’s Big Bash.
Cross-city rivals Melbourne Stars have signed up Joe Clarke, one of the leading uncapped players in England, as well as Qais. Perth Scorchers signed Brydon Carse only to lose the Durham seamer to a knee injury 24 hours later; he has been well replaced, though, with Tymal Mills coming on board after he recovered from his T20 World Cup-ending thigh strain. Laurie Evans, a former Sussex teammate of Mills, and New Zealand's Colin Munro are their other overseas players.
Sydney Sixers have called upon Tom Curran and James Vince to return, given their parts in the team's recent success. Chris Jordan joins them for his latest Big Bash stint. Carlos Brathwaite has withdrawn due to injury. Likewise, Thunder have stuck with Englishmen who have previously impressed in their colours: Alex Hales has a remarkable record in the competition, while Sam Billings proved a quality signing last year. Saqib Mahmood is another exciting acquisition.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports have bought the rights for the competition through to 2025, and they will broadcast all 61 games. BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball radio coverage of the tournament.
In Australia, Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia: subscription broadcaster Fox show every game, while free-to-air Seven will simulcast 45 matches.
Sony have the TV rights in the Indian subcontinent.
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