Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket Australia, despite feedback last season, will keep the BBL at 61 games for the upcoming BBL 10 season. However, the season will be stretched to 65 days, meaning that the season will take over nine weeks to complete.

There are two key factors in the decision. The first is that Cricket Australia wishes to avoid renegotiations with broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel Seven should the season be reduced. Second, a stretched schedule allows for flexibility in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BBL and WBBL fixtures are set to be released today, with BBL 10 said to begin on December 3 – the same day as the opening Test between Australia and India.

In June, CA Chairman Earl Eddings had stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with broadcasters. “Obviously, the media industry is going through a whole range of disruption. It’s a very difficult situation. It’s good that the sports are back. We have lost no content,” said Eddings.

“We have got really strong commercial partners, we get on really well, we are in constant communication, we will hold up our end of the bargain. I am sure Channel Seven and Foxtel will as well. I would have thought that people are watching it on TV, it might increase their ratings.”

The news comes as the BBL seeks to introduce some radical new changes to play to help spruce up the competition. CA came in for criticism last year, as the general feedback was the competition was too long and lacked quality. These changes include free hits for wides, substitutions and split powerplays. It was previously reported that a meeting would take place this month to discuss the changes.

Also read:

• Opinion: CA has broken the BBL. 5 ways to fix it
• BBL considers changes to on-field play to spark competition
• Australia Test schedule confirmed