BBL: Country’s Most Awaited Tournament of the Year

Often referred to as a gentleman’s game, cricket is a sport that requires great finesse and skill. BBL is a professional T20 cricket league established in 2011 by Cricket Australia. The American fast food giant, KFC, has been the league’s title sponsor since its inception. Every year in December, the stadium is set for one of the most iconic cricket tournaments in the world. It’s not the match itself; rather, the passion and love displayed by the fans that make it worth watching.

This article will discuss this domestic cricket league, from its basic rules to teams and overseas players. So, without further ado, let’s head straight to this interesting article. 

BBL Overview

The Big Bash League, or BBL, is Australia’s preeminent domestic Twenty20 competition. It was originally known as the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash but was later changed to BBL in 2011. It includes eight teams compared to the previous one, which had only six. 

It ranks ninth among the most watched leagues in the world, with an average of 26,528 spectators. The matches are aired in numerous countries by 14 broadcasting agencies. The season starts in December and continues till February. 

Basic Rules 

There are 11 players in the BBL team, including a captain, a wicketkeeper, several batters, and bowlers. Each side takes turns batting while the other bowls and fields. The objective of the game is to score as many runs as possible against the opposing team. The basic rules of the game are as follows:

• A batter is considered out if the ball hits the wickers.
• The delivery that passes the batter on the legside without hitting the stumps is considered a wide ball.
• Six points are awarded if the ball passes beyond the boundary without bouncing on the ground. Four runs are given to the respective team if it bounces first and then passes. 
• If a bowler bowls a no-ball, the following delivery is a free hit. 
• A batsman is caught if the ball, from a legitimate delivery, hits the bat and is caught by the bowler or fielder without hitting the ground. 

Teams 

Eight city-based franchises participate in this competition, with six of them taking home the trophy in eleven seasons. The team with the most wins is the Perth Scorchers, having won the title four times. Just behind them are the Sydney Sixers, who are three-times champions, including consecutive for two years. The Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Renegades, Brisbane Heat, and Sydney Thunder have won the competition. 

Overseas Players

Several overseas players from various countries participate in the BBL. They are drafted ahead of the tournament. Clubs may contract seven overseas players as either three primary and four replacements or two primary and five replacements. This legendary tournament features Pakistan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, South Africa, and many more players. The BCCI, Indian cricket’s governing body, does not allow Indian players to participate as they want to maintain the exclusivity of the IPL. 

Prize Money

Along with the winning team, the runners-up and the qualifiers for the semi-finals each get handsome prize money. The champions get $450,000, while the team in second place receives $260,000 in cash. All the semi-finalists are awarded $80,000 each, while $20,000 is awarded to the team that finishes fifth in the season.

BBL 2021-22

BBL 2021-22 marked the 11th season of the league since its inauguration. The tournament began on December 5 and concluded on January 28. The Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, and Adelaide Strikers qualified for the semi-finals. The tournament final was played at the iconic Marvel Stadium, Melbourne. In a thrilling game with fans on the edge of their seats, the Perth Scorchers defeated the defending champions, the Sydney Sixers, by 79 runs to claim their fourth title. 

BBL Ladder

The BBL ladder is the official ranking of the eight teams that contest the tournament. They are ranked in order from 1-8, updated round by round after weekly BBL results. In addition, it also shows the total games played, wins, losses, draws, the net run rate (NETRR), and total competition points of the individual team. The team that finishes at the top after the group rounds are awarded the title of “Minor-Premiership’’. 

Women’s Big Bash League

The WBBL, also known as the Women’s Big Bash League, is the women’s domestic Twenty20 competition similar to the BBL. A total of eight city-based franchises compete in the tournament. The teams are comprised of former and current Australian team members, the new talent of the country, and three overseas players. Originally it ran alongside BBL, but with the steady rise in popularity and recognition, it is now a fully standalone competition. The 2021-22 Women’s Big Bash League, or WBBL|07, marked the seventh season of this iconic tournament.

With 2.5 billion fans worldwide, it is no secret that cricket is one of the most beloved and cherished sports. Every year, the excitement for the BBL is clear evidence of the passion and love Australians feel for cricket. Every December, fans from around the country fill the stadium to watch their teams compete in a thrilling match. The BBL ladder, prize money, and the teams, all combined, make one of the biggest domestic tournaments in the country. 

That was all about this professional cricket league. Keep visiting our website, The Australia Time, to read more informative content like this. Happy Reading.