JUSTIN LANGER: KFC Big Bash League thriving as Cooper Connolly and Jake Fraser-McGurk rise as stars
With two Sydney teams facing off in their first BBL final in nearly a decade and Hobart awaiting the winner the KFC Big Bash is back on target and has been a great success this year.
In a summer of cricket which has risen to new heights in terms of broadcast numbers, attendances and overall interest, the game is thriving in this country.
Not that long ago there were growing fears the BBL may have run its race and was heading toward the same sharp decline as was experienced with the T20 game in England.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Like in the UK, the fear was that the golden goose was being killed by the temptation of increased games, declining performance and a dwindling talent pool.
Thankfully, through collaboration, the BBL has risen triumphantly and continued to mature into a world-class product.
Cricket Australia -- and particularly BBL chief Alistair Dobson and his team -- should be commended for their efforts.
They have copped their fair share of criticism over the years for various aspects of the competition, but credit where credit is due, and the last few seasons have gone from strength to strength.
Speaking to Dobson this week in Sydney he said the Scorchers final at Optus Stadium two years ago was the catalyst for the resurgence in the BBL.
Those who were there that night would agree to it being one of the great live sporting events in a decade as a young Cooper Connolly introduced himself to the sporting public with a match-winning innings in the last two overs.
The passion and energy fuelled by the Scorchers’ loyal fans and the high quality of cricket could be felt through the screens of the televisions and radios across the country and around the world.
Working together with all stakeholders -- including the teams, broadcasters, fans and sponsors -- has made for a dynamic product where everyone seems to be largely on the same page. By working together, rather than in silos, all parties have benefited.
The reduction to 10 home-and-away games has meant the tournament has run through the peak period of school holidays and the summer. In the BBL’s early days this was the secret sauce accompanying the intrigue of the new style of cricket.
Today, the tightened schedule, along with the high calibre of talent has made for an appetising product the fans can’t get enough of.
Scarcity - with quality over quantity - can sometimes be a crucial part of the recipe of success. In this case I am sure this is one of the keys.
And, heartening has been the young talent coming through the BBL this year.
On Wednesday night Australia U19 captain Hugh Weibgen played his part in taking the Sydney Thunder to the knockout final against The Sixers on Friday night.
After watching him for a handful of balls on Wednesday, Ricky Ponting and I glanced at each other with that knowing look that said: “This kid has got something.”
Sam Konstas was in that same U19 World Cup team. Then there are Mahli Beardman, Oliver Peake and Harry Dixon who have all have made the news this BBL and look to be highly talented.
Add Connelly and Fraser McGurk, and it points to a very bright and sustained future for the tournament and Australian cricket.
If there is one area the BBL must tighten up, it’s the exiting of overseas players early from the tournament.
It’s a problem in many of the tournaments around the world, yet the only people who benefit are the individual players. Someone must make a stand on this to ensure any player who enters these tournament remains available for the finals.
As it stands, several players are double dipping by being paid by their BBL franchise and also the team they migrate to.
If I was a leader of any of the teams, I wouldn’t contract any player who is unable to be there for the full running of the tournament.
I have listened to all the reasons and excuses, but I can’t see any benefit in having a player who can’t be there when it really matters. The clubs miss out, as do the fans, the broadcasters and the sponsors. That makes no sense to me.
With the Final in Hobart on Monday night, this season has played a major role in the success of a wonderful summer of cricket.
