BBL introduces Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost for the upcoming version
The 2020-21 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL), starting on Thursday, December 10, is set to witness a number of new innovations. The tournament will feature Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost, which will add a new flavor to the action in between. Power Surge changes the powerplay rule. There will not be a mandatory six-over powerplay.
Rather, there will be a four-over powerplay at the start of the innings, with the other two overs available for the team batting from the 11th over. The X-Factor is a super sub, but with minor changes. At the 10-over mark, each team will be allowed to make one of their starting eleven changes from the team’s scoresheet with the 12th or 13th member.
However, the player to be changed could not bat more than one over in a batting or innings. Replacement can only happen at the 10-over mark. Points are allocated in Bash Boost. There will be a maximum of four points for a win – three of which come from outright wins. The team will be awarded extra points, which is further on comparison during the 10th over of a run-chase.
In case of equal marks, each team will be awarded 0.5 points. BBL cricket advisor Trent Woodhill has played a huge role in bringing about change.
Woodhill comments on changes in BBL
“What this will do is force coaches to start looking at what they’re going to do, I think that’s powerful. That’s great about AFL, NRL, basketball, NFL, baseball. Woodhill told ESPNcricinfo, “I can’t wait for the day where a coach takes a player after one over – players and coaches will hate it, but now there’s no place.”
“I want you to talk to yourself about the game, rather than what happened before and then what you are going to do next game. It will now show the coach and captain and this is what you want to do.
“I like the strategy, the competition, the competition between bat and ball. I hate lols in sports, I get bored very easily if there is lullaby. You feel that you can make adjustments as per the rules which make the fans less aware of the result, making the players and coaches uncertain about the result, ”he said.
The tournament’s opening match is to be played between the Hobart Hurricanes and the defending champions Sydney sixers.
