Big Bash League Tips & Previews

Cricket in Australia is a way of life. The passion exhibited by Australian fans is second to none and there is nothing more exciting for a cricketer than to do well in Australia against Australia! It is their enthusiasm towards the game that makes the Big Bash League (BBL) one of the most revered T20 leagues in the world.

The Big Bash League was first played in 2011-12 and is contested during December and January. Originally called the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, the Big Bash League is a late entrant in T20 leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the Natwest T20 blast.

The BBL is one of the top sporting events in Australia and attending games is considered a family occasion. Six states in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Hobart) have a franchise with Melbourne and Sydney having two each. 

The eight city-based franchises that compete for top honours every year include the Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder.

The Big Bash League has intentions of expanding to regional areas like Canberra, Geelong, and the Gold Coast, with some games during the 2017-18 competition played at these venues as a first step. Don’t be surprised if a team from New Zealand is also included in the future as plans include making the BBL a trans-Tasman competition.

The first season saw 28 group stage matches that increased to 32 the following season. The 2017-18 season (BBL 07) saw the total number of league matches expand to 40 group stage matches with each side playing 10 matches before the semi-finals.

The BBL is currently an eight-team format with each franchise playing each other at least once during a season. Group stage matches are divided into ten rounds with four matches in each round. Every team is assigned a ‘rival’ with which they play an additional match during the season. Cross-town rivals are mandatory to ensure the derby culture is included in the tournament. 

The top four teams progress to the semi-finals with the top two teams getting a home semi. The final of the tournament is usually played at the home ground of the highest-ranked team that reached the final.

Each team can have a maximum of 18 contracted players for a season who are usually offered multi-season contracts to avoid shuffling the packs too often. Each team can have a maximum of two overseas players in the squad and are allowed a replacement if any or both the players get injured or withdraw due to international commitments.

Teams are obliged to hand out contracts to two rookies – something which the organisers believe is their commitment towards the continuing development of cricket. 

Perth Scorchers are the most successful franchise in the history of BBL winning it three times and reaching the final twice. They remain the only side to have made at least the semis in all seven tournaments so far.

The other winners of Big Bash are Sydney Sixers, Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder, and Adelaide Strikers. The Strikers are the defending champions having won the title in the 2017-18 campaign.