BBL Considering Contract Rule Changes To Stop Overseas Players' Exodus For Future Finals

Cricket Australia could introduce a new contracting rule for the Big Bash League (BBL) to ensure that overseas players remain available for the finals series.

While the BBL has enjoyed a good campaign so far in terms of crowd attendance, the officials are not getting carried away and are well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. With the tournament bringing back the shorter home-and-away format, BBL 2023/24 has witnessed a 27 percent increase in average crowds.

According to ESPNcricinfo, there were crowds of beyond 40,000 in five matches for the first time since 2017-18. The Melbourne Renegades saw their average increase by 63 percent. The upcoming finals series, however, could be impacted by an unfortunate exodus of overseas players. As many as six players will miss the finals after leaving for UAE’s lucrative ILT20.

The players left the BBL after the last round-robin week of competition. Perth Scorchers’ Laurie Evans, Brisbane Heat’s Sam Billings and Colin Munro, Sydney Sixers’ James Vince, and Adelaide Strikers’ Jamie Overton and Adam Hose will be missing the tournament finals.

CA contemplating new BBL contracting rule:

The report stated that the BBL clubs were aware of the player availability when they were picked in the draft. The CA officials are now hopeful of finding an answer for future seasons and finals series. The future contractual discussions are likely to feature in end-of-season talks when the embargo period ends after Wednesday’s final. Billings has suggested more security for overseas players out of the draft.

“We have seen this year the role overseas players continue to play in the BBL,” BBL boss Alistair Dobson told AAP. “They have been great performers on the field, they are fan favorites and the broadcasters love them.

“However, we need to continue to evolve our competition and make our competition appealing to the players to come and play in the BBL. And ideally, [to] have them play as many games as possible has been and will continue to be a clear focus for us,” he added.

Talking about the increase in crowd, Dobson said: “This year it has only got stronger and gives us a bigger platform for next year and beyond. Fewer games add scarcity, but it also provides capacity and oxygen to our schedule and ensures every game is promoted in a bigger and better fashion.”

The finals series will get underway on Friday (January 19). Brisbane Heat will lock horns against Sydney Sixers in the Qualifier while Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers will take on each other in the Knockout.