New rules paying dividends for BBL evenness

A final ball six to win the game – that is every cricketer's dream, right?

New data from the KFC BBL suggests we're seeing it more often, with the percentage of games going down to the wire rising as teams get used to the new rules that were introduced ahead of last season.

BBL chiefs introduced three innovations at the start of the 2020-21 competition – the power surge, X-factor sub and the Bash Boost point – to try and keep games alive and increase the unpredictability of matches.

And while it may have taken players and coaches a season to get used to them, new figures suggest they are paying dividends in BBL|11.

Already we've seen the Melbourne Renegades hold out in a final ball thriller against the Adelaide Strikers, Josh Philippe send the third last ball into the stands at the MCG to down the Melbourne Stars and young allrounder Hayden Kerr do the same to get the Sydney Sixers across the line in the last over at the SCG, again against the Strikers.

Around 25 per cent of the way through BLL|11, already the number of "close games" has increased by 11 percentage points.

About 31 per cent of this season's BBL matches have been classified as "close games", defined as final over run chases or margins of six runs or less when the team batting first wins.

That's up from 20 per cent at the same point of BBL|10, with the total number of close games increasing to 25 per cent by the end of last season.

Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, told cricket.com.au they were really excited with the how the season had started.

"Every competition in any sport, any league, lives and dies by the closeness of the contest," he said.

"Fans, whether you're on TV or at the ground, want an unpredictable outcome. As soon as there's a game one-sided, or if it's one-sided before the game even starts, then there's so much less interest in the game.

"A lot of work we do is around trying to find ways, where we can, to keep the games as close and exciting as we can.

"It starts with great cricketers and the quality of the cricket always tends to produce closer games because you've got performances that can stand out.

"The fans really love those big individual performances as well."

Dobson said it had also been fascinating to watch how teams continued to adapt to the newer rules.

"Particularly the power surge, that seems to be one that's really finding its feet and teams are using it really strategically," he said.

"Even the Bash Boost, there's been a few games this year where it's added a real level of interest and excitement as teams chase that 10-over mark down."

That seems to be the feedback from the players too, with the BBL's new highest ever wicket-taker, Sean Abbott, telling cricket.com.au it was a good innovation, though he added it did take some getting used to when it was introduced last year.

"I wasn't there for the first few games and then my first game was in Canberra against the Scorchers and I was at the top of my mark and I said to Moey (Sixers' captain Moises Henriques) 'we've only got two out here, do you mind chucking another three out for us?'," Abbott said.

"He was like, 'are you serious?' And I was like 'yeah, get three more fielders out'.

"He goes, 'it's the surge you idiot, it's a new rule'.

"But I think it's a good rule, it's going to be good for the skills of Australia's death bowling ranks so I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Dobson said the last piece of a fixturing puzzle had fallen into place with the Perth Scorchers two home games against the Sydney Sixers and Thunder to be hosted at Metricon Stadium due to Western Australia's hard border.

With the Scorchers also looking odds on to make finals at this stage, Dobson said they had not yet determined where they would host those games, but it was a conversation that would start in coming days.

He said with rising COVID cases around the country, the attention now turned to keeping the players and staff safe.

"We feel incredible sympathy for the Scorchers and their fans who get a taste of one game and we know how passionate they are and unfortunately they haven't been able to play the remainder of their season at home," Dobson said.

"This year it's probably less about borders and more about genuine COVID risks.

"We're talking to our clubs, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne almost daily around what they're seeing, what they're doing and what protocols are in place.

"Our clubs have been great at implementing some of their own measures without the league having to mandate things, they're really conscious and proactive in that.

"But we're constantly looking at it. Ultimately, a big part of our protocols still holds in good stead around doing as much outside as you can, whatever you do, do it in small groups, and those things are really fundamental to keep everyone safe and able to keep playing in Sydney and Melbourne."

As for his tip for this year's title, the league boss was keeping his cards close to his chest.

"One of the great things about the BBL is it's unpredictability – anyone on any night can win," Dobson said.

"I do think they way they're playing and the harmony and the strength that looks around the team, it does look like the Scorchers are the team to beat.

"They were threatened (against the Renegades) and they stayed calm even when (Aaron) Finch and (Nic) Maddinson were hitting every second ball for six.

"It's hard to go past the Sixers again because they just know how to win when the time comes."