2 dismissals on one delivery, 2 consecutive overs by same bowler: Big Bash League gears up for revolutionary rules

The Big Bash League could introduce a number of new rules in order to attract the top stars of Australia and world cricket from next season. According to reports, high-level discussions have already taken place among Cricket Australia officials about the rule changes for the next season of the Big Bash League.

Australian news outlet The Sydney Morning Herald has stated that the cricket officials in Australia are keen to improve the Big Bash League after yet another successful season of the tournament so far. Cricket Australia is eager for higher scores and closer games in the Big Bash League and also wants the improve the quality of the competition by reducing the workload on the top stars.

The report stated that officials are considering ideas from baseball and the UK’s short-format tournament The Hundred in order to make Australia's premier T20 tournament more interesting. The Australian Cricket Board also wants to make sure that the players stay fresh throughout the tournament so that they can give their best.

Here are some of the rules that could be introduced for the next season of the Big Bash League:

A designated hitter:

This rule will see each team nominating one player in their playing XI who just bats and doesn’t have to field. Teams will also have to nominate a designated fielder to give a break to the designated hitter. The move could also see the franchises handing contracts to fielders if they feel that having a specialist fielder could benefit them.

The report also stated that the designated hitters could commentate for broadcasters when their team was in the field. Such a move could attract the big name to play in the Big Bash League who usually skip the competition in order to stay fresh for international games. Some of the overseas stars have already said that they would be willing to play in the tournament if not fielding was an option.

"I’m a bit more of a traditionalist in picking your best 11 and finding your all-rounders. Does it lean too heavily into a batter-friendly game like we’ve seen in the IPL? Selfishly, though, if they just need specialist fielders, I’d probably get a gig for longer," said Sydney Sixers star Jordan Silk.

Bowling two overs consecutively from the same end and optional 12-ball overs:

Teams could be allowed to bowl 12 balls from one end before swapping ends from the next Big Bash League season. In the Hundred, teams are allowed to bowl 10 balls (back-to-back 5-ball overs) from one end. The new rule could also see one bowler bowling 12 deliveries in a row. However, they would not be allowed to deliver more than 24 balls in the game as per the existing rules.

"We went through this with The Hundred," said Trent Woodhill, Cricket Australia’s high-performance consultant for the WBBL and BBL.

"The penny drops when people realise what T20 cricket really is. Fielding isn’t running between overs or running into position at high speed. It’s all the other stuff that Silky does that makes him so bloody good," he added.

On the other hand, Silk said: "I’m actually probably a bit more pro that. Anything we can to speed things up. I don’t see an issue."

When asked if the pacers could bowl 12 balls in a row, he said: "They do it in the nets. It might be a rare occurrence where you’d see it happen."

Double plays:

Another rule that is being discussed is double-play run-out. As per the rule, two batsmen could be dismissed on the same delivery if the bails are taken off at both ends of the pitch and both the batsmen are out of their crease.

The officials have proposed that such a mode of dismissal would apply only to run-outs. There are also proposals to apply the rule to a catch and then a run-out, just like baseball.

"You’d rarely ever see it. It might happen a few times a year. That’s certainly out there. I don’t love it. I think there’s also a skill in trying to beat your partner to the other end," said Silk.

New Rules Suggestion for Upcoming Season of BBL:
(Sydney Morning Herald)

1) Designated Hitter or Fielder
2) Run-Out at Both Ends
3) Catch and then Run-Out in Same Ball
4) Two Consecutive Overs at Same End
5) Two Consecutive Overs by Same Bowler
6) A maiden over declares the… pic.twitter.com/8FjmtHjYnO

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) January 24, 2025

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