Big Bash makes a big splash

The KFC Big Bash League has enjoyed its best ever start with record-breaking crowd figures and television ratings on the opening weekend.

With the added attention of the newly-launched Rebel Women's Big Bash League, a raft of international superstars and Australian Test and limited-overs representatives among the playing ranks and a rejuvenated Sydney Thunder outfit shooting to the top of the table, BBL|05 has proved an early winner with fans.

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More than 88,000 people turned out across Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne on the opening weekend for a thrilling series of games.

Average attendance for the weekend was 22,205, beating the previous mark set in BBL|03 of 20,903.

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More than 1 million people nationally watched the Big Bash on average, beating the BBL|03 mark of 961,000. Audiences peaked at 1.55 million for Sunday night's thriller between the Melbourne Stars and Thunder at the SCG as Kevin Pietersen put on a batting masterclass.

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The Thunder's South Africa legend Jacques Kallis delivered a nerveless final over to thwart Australia's renowned white-ball finisher James Faulkner as the Sydney team held on for a one-run win.

Cricket Australia's Exective General Manager – Media, Communications, Marketing, Ben Amarfio said the numbers in the traditionally quieter pre-Christmas period were encouraging.

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"It’s always difficult attracting crowds in this pre-Christmas period but we are thrilled that so far the fans are rocking up in big numbers and enjoying BBL|05," said Amarfio.

"The media and promotional support in the lead up to the launch of WBBL and BBL seasons has been tremendous in igniting interest and clearly has made an impact.

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"I know it’s only early but to set an all-time record for our first weekend of attendances (up 30 per cent versus last year) and TV ratings (up 12 per cent versus last year) is very pleasing because it shows that more fans are connecting with the BBL."

Amarfio added that ratings for the WBBL were especially pleasing.

"The two games to date (Heat v Strikers and Sixers v Scorchers) averaged a national audience of nearly 220,000 people," said Amarfio.

"This is a remarkable result given these games were not in prime-time and have not been carried on Ten’s primary channel.

"Hopefully we are exposing the WBBL to a legion of girls who will be inspired to take up the sport and emulate their female heroes."

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Network Ten’s Network Executive, BBL, David Barham, said: “The Sydney Smash on 17 December was a fantastic way to start the new KFC Big Bash League season and we’re delighted with how viewers have embraced the first four days of our coverage.

“Our strong working relationship with Cricket Australia, including our combined marketing and promotional focus over the past six months, has had a significant impact on television viewing audiences and match attendances."

The Big Bash's opening weekend was characterised by stunning performances from some old hands, young tyros and international marquees.

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Former Australia Test players Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin wound back the clock with key performances for the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers respectively.

In Adelaide, rising star Alex Ross continued an impressive summer to blast the Strikers into a dominant position against Melbourne in front of 27,611 fans who braved sweltering 42C heat to cheer on their home side.

And West Indies internationals such as Chris Gayle and Darren Bravo for the Melbourne Renegades plus the Thunder's Andre Russell delighted fans.

BBL|05 action continues Monday in Perth where the WACA –renamed #TheFurnace for the Big Bash – is a sell-out as reigning champions the Perth Scorchers get their season underway against the Strikers.

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"We're absolutely delighted. We learn every year, we tweak things here and there, and we're delighted that the fans have responded positively so far," Anthony Everard, CA's Head of Big Bash League Operations, said. 

"We had reasonably high expectations going into this season - we had a great year last year - and we had a high degree of confidence in the schedule we put in place and the quality of the players. 

"But five games in it's fair to say that the results have exceeded our expectations.

"They're phenomenal numbers - we didn't know quite what to expect in terms of the level of interest but to have the viewership that we've achieved is really encouraging," Everard said of the WBBL ratings. 

"Combined with the interest in the men's product, it gives us a huge amount of confidence going into our sweet spot in the post-Christmas period. "We still have very high aspirations as to where the league can go - I don't think anyone's suggesting that we've realised our full potential by any means. "In many respects that's the exciting part."