Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey
CA Has Broken It: 5 Ways to Fix the BBL | Is the BBL season too long |Was BBL09 too long | How to fix the BBL | BBL 09 Season Review
A tournament or event can be considered successful when the audience is left wanting a little more. So, by the time the next edition rolls around, the audience is waiting and ready.
It is safe to say that was not the case in BBL09. It’s end was met with relief, rather than any prospective view to BBL10, which is a sure sign that Cricket Australia, part of various poor moves, has broken the BBL.
It has milked the hell out of it, with not much left to give anymore.
CA, from 2018 onwards, wanted to expand the BBL into an IPL-like tournament, shifting to 60+ games in a full home-and-away season. However, once again, CA displayed a lack of market understanding, blinded by the dollar signs of a $1.2 billion TV deal that obstructed their sight of how risky this move could be.
It is easy to simply rip into CA here, so I will offer ways, from a fan’s perspective, to improve the BBL. However, it must be remembered what the BBL was originally about and how CA failed to see it: The Big Bash was originally introduced as a “power” feature of Australia’s home season to revamp domestic cricket, giving:
- Fans the chance to take their families to games.
- Fans the opportunity to watch cricket each night in the school holidays at prime-time.
- Grade and state players the chance to make a name for themselves.
The last point still holds true, but the first two have copped a battering.
The numbers prove it.
BBL09’s total crowd figure, before the Final (60 games), stood at 1,119,544. BBL07, with 43 games played, drew 21,291 more. Sure, the increase in matches played in rural areas has an effect, but the reduction in sold out games seen in yesteryear means that the BBL novelty has worn off.
Particularly in the big playoff matches.
While TV ratings are solid, it is important to remember than in-game experiences help grow love for the game. Also, the overall quality of the BBL is in need of a makeover, so here are five ways in which the BBL can be improved:
Reduce the number of matches
A friendly reminder that BBL09 started before Christmas. CA would be counting their lucky stars that the Final miraculously went ahead, after fears that a 60 game tournament would not have a Final due to Sydney rain.
Put simply, it’s just too long. Go back to each team playing eight games, as there was no issue with it. CA, though, got greedy.
CA implemented the IPL approach. But that’s India, with 57 times the population of Australia, and a cricket appetite bigger than the case down under. Also, international cricket comes to a halt, as the world’s best players, plus a bigger talent pool in India, compete for the trophy.
In Australia, the public fell in love with the BBL because it was something fans and families enjoyed over three or four weeks. CA ignored its audience’s interests, and now have to look at going back to the way things were. Eventually.

Special BBL window in the Australian summer
This flows on nicely from the previous point. If you want the best Australian players available for the BBL, then a two-month competition is not feasible as that would damage the international season. A short, sharp competition works here, with various benefits.
- Australia’s national players such as David Warner, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc can be available for three or four weeks.
- Club and grade cricketers spend more time with established players in their respective squads, which can help them improve.
- Reduce player fatigue. Did you happen to check out the Perth Scorchers schedule?

Finish the tournament in January
Another big fallout from BBL09 was the finish date. By February, kids are back in school and parents are back in the full swing of things.
From next year onwards, the competition has to finish in January – preferably Australia Day – so that it coincides well with the end of school holidays. Again, it’s time CA better understands its audience.
Three overseas players in each XI
Currently, the BBL allows for two overseas players in each XI. While it is great to give grade and state players a chance, having that extra international player adds that extra quality to the competition.
And, building on point two, it allows local players to feed off them and improve.
Free-to-Air TV for all matches
CA’s big $1.2 billion TV deal meant that some of the action moved away from Free-to-Air (FTA) TV. Channel 10 took over the rights from 2013-18, with every BBL game broadcast on FTA TV, before the new deal saw every game broadcast on Fox Sports, with just two-third on FTA TV.
This has led to confusion in some parts, with fans having to go out of their way to find out if a match was actually on Channel Seven or not.
Going forward, an accessible, free-for-all model works best in building engagement.
So, there are my five ways CA can look to improve the BBL to ensure it can prosper once again.
Thanks for reading!
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