Bash is getting bigger

THE Melbourne Renegades faced the Brisbane Heat at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium in Big Bash cricket last night.

But the heat was equally on the sporting public of Geelong.

Before the match Renegades chief Stuart Coventry told the Addy he was expecting a crowd of at least 20,000 at last night’s game.

After luring 18,029 for their match against the Adelaide Strikers at Geelong on January 3, the red army reasoned last night’s match would hold bigger appeal.

Coventry’s forecast relied on the fact Geelong would be waking from its holiday slumber by the middle of January.

A prime time Sunday night timeslot and the appeal of the Heat — led by Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn, two of the biggest drawcards in T20 cricket — added to his optimism.

What’s more, the women’s match in the afternoon shaped as a beauty — fourth-placed Renegades hosting the Sydney Sixers (3rd) and their superstar Ellyse Perry.

But forecasting crowd figures and TV ratings for BBL08 has proven difficult.

Last summer the competition was thriving, and the sporting public’s appetite for the Big Bash seemed insatiable.

Cricket Australia chose to capitalise on that popularity by expanding the competition.

Despite a push from some quarters to increase the number of teams — including a Geelong outfit — the game’s governing body chose to institute a full home and away season, resulting in 16 extra games on the program.

Some say the expansion was premature, and there’s no doubt crowds are down across the country.

There’s a reason T20 is referred to as the fast food version of cricket.

It’s quick, cheap, looks good on TV commercials and is loved by kids.

It’s fun but it’s not filling. You can have too much of it.

But here in Geelong we haven’t had our fill yet.

The thousands at GMHBA Stadium last night showed our city is just getting a taste for it.