Bash delivers DRS

But X-factor, boost rules are axed

BIG Bash officials will introduce DRS this season after years of controversial calls, having cleared the financial and logistical hurdles that prevented its use in the past.

The move comes amid a raft of other changes for the upcoming season, with an “innings clock” to ensure matches are completed on time.

But two innovations will be dumped for this BBL season.

Both the “X-factor” substitute rule and the “bash boost” bonus point have been removed after two seasons, because both changes have not “achieved the level of positive impact intended”.

The “power surge”, where teams can take a two-over powerplay after the 10th over, has been retained and will also be introduced in the WBBL.

The amendments to playing conditions for both the BBL and WBBL have been finalised, with DRS also to be used in 24 of the WBBL games, including finals.

“Implementing DRS has been a challenging task for the

BBL, which is the most logistically complex T20 league in the world,” BBL boss Alastair Dobson said.

“That, plus the impact of the pandemic on travel and movement, has meant the technology has not been possible to introduce until this season.

“The league is pleased with the outcomes of the wider playing conditions review process, with the introduction of the power surge to WBBL and the BBL innings clock both major wins for fans. We retain a clear desire to innovate and drive our leagues forward but are also willing to review decisions that have not realised the intended positive impact, such as the bash boost point and X-factor substitution.”

Teams will get 15 seconds to call for a DRS review after any decision by an on-field umpire, with one unsuccessful review per innings, per team.

The technology available for reviews will include ball tracking for lbw decisions and real-time Snicko, but Hotspot, a feature of international cricket, won’t be available.

The innings clock is the new innovation and requires fielding teams to begin the last over of their innings inside 79 minutes, a time that could blow out pending allowances from umpires for any delays.

Failure to meet this requirement will result in an ingame penalty, with the fielding team limited to four fielders outside the field restriction circle for the remainder of the innings.

The innings clock won’t be implemented in the WBBL.