Watson stumped by rules

Big Bash changes nothing but gimmicks, star says

AUSTRALIAN T20 legend Shane Watson has been left shaking his head at three new rules introduced to the Big Bash this season, labelling them “gimmicks” and “science experiments”.

Watson, who finished his stellar career at the conclusion of the recent Indian Premier League, said the Power Surge, the X- Factor Player and the Bash Boost were unnecessary changes that made the T20 game too complex.

The 39- year- old former Australian all- rounder made millions playing 343 T20s in competitions around the world and was a mainstay of the Sydney Thunder in the BBL until last year.

His retirement was met with plaudits from some of the game’s greatest players, evidence of Watson’s standing.

Watson said the lure of the Big Bash was always the best players, and the new rule changes, introduced to help address a continued fall in TV ratings in recent seasons, were misguided.

“I read today that the BBL is introducing these new gimmicks, such as the Power Surge, the X- Factor Player and the Bash Boost in a misguided attempt to reinvigorate the tournament,” Watson wrote in a blog post on his T20 Stars website.

“I just can’t seem to get my head around why there are people out there who are trying to reinvent the wheel when the wheel was not broken.

“It just had hit a little rocky ground in which some really simple measures that were already put in place would create a slipstream back to the very top again.

“The complexities that these new ‘ science experiments’ are going to create for the viewers, let alone the players and coaches, when none of these have been tried and tested at lower levels, have really taken the wind out of my sails.”

Watson, who is also president of the Australian Cricketers Association, said the BBL was the second- best T20 competition in the world, only beaten by the Indian Premier League because of the quality of players available.

He said that should be the focus, getting the best talent, not changing the rules.

“The decision to allow three overseas players to play in every team to really strengthen up the quality of the cricket during the tournament and seeing the list of world- class overseas players who are heading to our shores had been unbelievably exciting,” Watson said.