Big Bash to allow more international stars in bid to boost league
THREE internationals will be allowed to suit up for each Big Bash club every game this summer, an increase on two in previous seasons, in an attempt to again boost the quality of the competition amid an ongoing fight with Channel 7.
The BBL teams are preparing for this shift, but the fight remains to actually entice international players to Australia for the nearly twomonth-long competition that will involve spending significant time, if not the entire tournament, in quarantine bubbles. Allowing three internationals is a concession from the Australian Cricketers Association, which has long opposed the idea, fearing that extra spot removed the opportunity for a local player to get exposure at the top level.
But amid an ugly dispute between Cricket Australia and Channel 7 over the value of the BBL‘s broadcast rights, the change is one way for CA to signal its intent to make the competition as watchable as possible.
Several BBL clubs are yet to announce any overseas signings, with only Englishmen Dawid Malan (Hobart Hurricanes), Alex Hales (Sydney Thunder), Liam Livingstone (Perth Scorchers), Tom Banton (Brisbane Heat) and Tom Curran (Sydney Sixers) contracted to teams.
English fast bowler Chris Jordan is also likely to sign with the Hobart Hurricanes, while opening batsman Jonny Bairstow is another name that has been linked to BBL teams.
The inclusion of extra imports for this summer’s tournament could be extra important with the likelihood more Australian stars than normal could be absent because of international duties. Australia coach Justin Langer has flagged picking extended Test and white-ball squads for the 10 games against India – four Tests, three ODIs and three T20s – given expected limitations on players moving in and out of quarantine bubbles.
That means the likes of Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis missing large chunks of the BBL. Stars including David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, don’t even have BBL contracts.