The BBL could have a very different look next season with Cricket Australia officials considering a raft of changes to freshen up the competition, including baseball-style designated hitters and double-play run-outs.
In a bid to make it easier for Australia’s Test stars to be available for the tournament, CA have discussed a range of changes to the playing conditions which could reduce the workload for players and speed the game up.
The BBL is coming to the end of one of the most successful seasons in recent years with the Thunder taking on the Sixes at the SCG on Friday night for the right to play the Hurricanes in the final at Hobart on Monday night.
According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, the BBL rulemakers have been eyeing off The Hundred competition in England for ideas with one of them to have the fielding team bowling consecutive overs from the same end.
The same bowler could send down two overs in a row or the captain could alternate them and if overs were sent down in sets of two it would save time in rearranging the field and reduce the effort of the fielders who sometimes have to run across the entire field during a change of overs to be in the right position.
Bringing in a designated hitter rule would cause plenty of debate in cricketing circles as it has been polarising in baseball.
BBL teams could be given the option of naming a 12-man line-up with a player like Steve Smith at the Sixers able to bat but not have to worry about fielding.
Smith has racked up some big scores and been a star attraction when he has turned out for the Sixers in recent seasons but he injured his elbow in the field recently and in theory, the team could rest him up for their fielding innings with a specialist fielder running around for 20 overs instead of the Australian Test ace.
Double plays are also on the agenda as a potential change to the playing conditions.
If there is a mix-up between batters, the fielding team would have the opportunity to run out both players if they are able to break the wickets at each end while they are out of their crease.
Mitch Owen hits a six during the BBL Qualifier match against Sydney Sixers. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
There is also the possibility of the fielding team effecting a run-out of the non-striker after the batter has been caught from a delivery.
Dismissing two batters with one delivery would cause chaos and provide great theatre for fans and TV viewers.
A team, when eight down, could have its innings closed if a double play were to occur.
The BBL will also consider encouragement for bowlers to send down maidens. One radical idea is for a batter to be given out if they face a maiden over or for the bowler to be given an extra over to their allotment of four if they manage to deliver six consecutive balls without conceding a run.
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