Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey
Big Bash League can now include more international cricketers | Decision has been made to allow more internationals in BBL teams
In an attempt to improve the quality of the tournament, Cricket Australia (CA) has made a decision to add an additional overseas player in BBL XIs. Big Bash teams can now include three overseas players in their playing XI. According to reports from ESPNCricinfo, the Australian Cricketers Association was against this decision for a long time now, as it would take away a spot of local talent. However, Cricket Australia and broadcasting partner Channel Seven wanted an overseas player to feature in the lineup.
The following international players are announced to be on board by their respected teams:
- Tom Curran (Sydney Sixers)
- Tom Banton (Brisbane Heat)
- Liam Livingstone (Perth Scorchers)
- Alex Hales (Sydney Thunder); and
- Dawid Malan (Hobart Hurricanes)
The permission to field another international player in every team will result in the induction of 20 new overseas individuals in the new league.
Also read: Cricket Australia has broken it. 5 ways to fix the BBL
The news comes after there was talk earlier this year of introducing radical rule changes to help boost the attractiveness of the competition.
Reportedly, the teams are eager to sign up David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Most of the Australian players are likely to miss the BBL as International games are going to be held around the same time. Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch, Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis will miss major chunk.
Players such as AB de Villiers, Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Dale Steyn and emerging talents such as Jofra Archer, Rashid Khan and Sandeep Lamichhane have been vital to the growth of the BBL over its first nine seasons.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
