BBL ‘not in same league as Tests’
THE Big Bash League continues to grow, but James Sutherland believes the Twenty20 competition will never become bigger than a home Test series.
The Ashes resume today, with BBL games scheduled for every night of the fourth and fifth Tests.
Cricket Australia extended the BBL season this summer, while there are further plans for expansion that will form a key part of the sporting body’s broadcast rights negotiations.
CA chief executive Sutherland is upbeat the T20 competition’s big crowds and bumper TV ratings will continue during the Boxing Day Test.
But he cannot envisage the BBL attracting more eyeballs than the summer’s showpiece Tests.
“I certainly hope not,” Sutherland said.
“From our perspective, the primacy of international cricket and Test cricket in particular is No.1.
“That’s our strategic focus. We see the BBL as a vehicle there to bring new people to the game, young people to the game.
“So they can enjoy cricket and then from there graduate their interest into the traditional formats.
“They [young cricket fans] know and understand that the ultimate is still to play cricket for Australia and that inter- national cricket is what is really respected and appreciated.”
Sutherland says interest in the BBL is proof that “more cricket is never enough at this time of year”.
“Fans embrace it, they want more,” he said.
“Certainly the crowds and television ratings have been fantastic and that’s the shape of things to come.”
The Sutherland household is among many around Australia following the BBL and women’s competition with much interest.
Sutherland’s son Will is on the books of the Melbourne Renegades, while daughter Annabel is part of the Melbourne Stars’ WBBL squad.