The 10th edition of Australia premier T20 competition returns with a few twists. The Cricketer looks at what has changed and how to follow the action...
The Big Bash League is Australia's premier annual 20-over competition, following on from the successful women's tournament.
Kicking off on Thursday, December 10, it reaches a conclusion on Saturday, February 6.
Like the women's equivalent, eight franchises compete for the title - Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.
Each side plays one another twice, home and away, during the eight-team double round-robin.
The format that was introduced last year for the knock-out stages stays; with the top five will progress to the knock-out stage, where an Indian Premier League-style knock-out stage will determine the eventual champion.
It kicks off with The Eliminator, which sees fourth host fifth, the winner of which will play the side who finishes third for a place in The Challenger.
Meanwhile, first will face second in The Qualifier. The victor progresses directly into the final while the loser will drop into The Challenger, where they will have another chance to reach the final.
A virtual semi-final will take place pitting the side who loses The Qualifier against the winner of third v The Eliminator winner.
BBL organisers have introduced ‘power surges’, ‘bash boosts’ and an ‘X-factor player’ for 2020-21. All three rules are designed to maximise interest throughout the full 40 overs and that strategic thinking is rewarded.
A ‘power surge’ is a two-over period where the batting side can impose fielding restrictions on the opposition. This can be called any time from the 11th over of the innings.
A ‘bash boost’ is essentially an extra point. If the team chasing are above the equivalent 10-over score of their opposition, they will receive the point; however, if they are behind then the team batting first gets the point.
An ‘X-factor player’ is a nominated 12th or 13th man. He can come into the game from beyond the 10th over of the first innings and replace any player who is yet to bat or has bowled no more than one over.
Across any 20-over innings, bowlers are restricted to a maximum of four overs each. For any no balls or wides bowled, the batting team will be rewarded with one run, as well as a free hit.
In each innings, the first four overs constitute a powerplay with no more than two fielders allowed outside the 25-yard circle. Following this period, a maximum of five fielders are allowed outside the inner ring.
A win is now worth three points rather than the traditional two.
Can Sydney Sixers retain their crown?
In Australia, Fox Sports and streaming service Kayo Sports will broadcast all every match, Seven share the rights, showing 45 games including the entire knock-out phase.
BT Sport will continue its exclusive rights to Australian cricket in the UK with full coverage of the competition.
BBC Radio Five Live will have commentary of matches on their sister station, Sports Extra.
Sony Six and Sony Six HD will be showing matches in India.
The Big Bash has increased the number of overseas players permitted to play in a given match to allow for more flexibility during the long campaign which some players have to juggle with international commitments. Three overseas players from each team are now allowed to play in a match.
As far as overseas stars are concerned, Rashid Khan (Adelaide Strikers), Tom Banton (Brisbane Heat) and Nicholas Pooran (Melbourne Stars) are set to feature. Jason Holder (Hobart Hurricanes) and James Vince (Sydney Sixers) will light up the tournament also.
Perth Scorchers have won three editions of the competition, but last season Sydney Sixers won their second title.
No other side has won the competition on more than one occasion. Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars are the only two sides without a title to their name. The latter reached the final last year – losing by 19 runs.
Big Bash squads 2020-21: Full BBL 10 player lists
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