Australian Big Bash League
The Big Bash League (BBL) is a professional Twenty20 tournament held in Australia in December-February each year since its inception in 2011.
The tournament has been a huge hit, with fans turning out in massive numbers and punters turning over tens of millions on the many betting options on each match and on season-long wagers.
Eight teams will contest the 2020-21 Big Bash League: defending champions Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Stars, Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes.
There are several rule changes, and teams will also be permitted to field three international players rather than two. There will also be ”home” matches played at neutral grounds for biosecurity purposes and many venues may vary from the initial draw.
New rules for 2020-21 Big Bash League
Power Surge: The usual six-over Power Play at the start of each innings has been shortened to four overs. But the batting team can call for a two-over Power Surge any time from the 11th over onwards. During the Power Play and Power Surge, the fielding team can have only two players outside the inner fielding circle.
The X-factor: The 12th or 13th player for each team can be called in as an X-factor player to replace any player who has not batted and bowled only one over or less.
Bash Boost: A bonus point will be awarded halfway through the second innings. If the team batting is ahead of where the team batting first was at the equivalent stage, they will receive the bonus point. If they are behind the fielding team will get the bonus point. And teams get three points per win instead of two as in previous seasons.
The full 2020-2021 draw: The tournament runs in a round-robin format over 56 matches, before the top five teams advance to the finals (see finals draw below).
Thursday, December 10: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers (Blundstone Arena)
Friday, December 11: Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat (Manuka Oval)
Saturday, December 12: Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder (Manuka Oval), Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers (Blundstone Arena)
Sunday, December 13: Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes (Blundstone Arena), Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades (Blundstone Arena)
Monday, December 14: Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat (Manuka Oval)
Tuesday, December 15: Hobart Hurricanes v Adelaide Strikers (University of Tasmania Stadium)
Wednesday, December 16: Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars (University of Tasmania Stadium)
Saturday, December 19: Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades (Blundstone Arena)
Sunday, December 20: Sydney Sixers v Adelaide Strikers (Blundstone Arena)
Tuesday, December 22: Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers (Manuka Oval)
Wednesday, December 23: Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers (Gabba)
Saturday, December 26: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades (Manuka Oval), Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers (Metricon Stadium)
Sunday, December 27: Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes (Gabba)
Monday, December 28: Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers (Adelaide Oval)
Tuesday, December 29: Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers (Metricon Stadium), Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars (Manuka Oval)
Wednesday, December 30: Hobart Hurricanes v Brisbane Heat (Gabba)
Thursday, December 31: Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers (Adelaide Oval)
Friday, January 1: Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder (Metricon Stadium)
Saturday, January 2: Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars (Blundstone Arena), Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers (Gabba)
Sunday, January 3: Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades (Optus Stadium), Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Sixers (Metricon Stadium)
Monday, January 4: Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder (Gabba), Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes (Blundstone Arena)
Tuesday, January 5: Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers (Adelaide Oval)
Wednesday, January 6: Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers (Optus Stadium)
Thursday, January 7: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder (Optus Stadium), Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars (Metricon Stadium)
Friday, January 8: Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades (Adelaide Oval)
Saturday, January 9: Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder (Optus Stadium)
Sunday, January 10: Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat (Metricon Stadium)
Monday, January 11: Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars (Adelaide Oval)
Tuesday, January 12: Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes (Optus Stadium)
Wednesday, January 13: Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers (Sydney Showground)
Thursday, January 14: Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Renegades (Marvel Stadium, Docklands)
Friday, January 15: Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers (MCG)
Saturday, January 16: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers (SCG)
Sunday, January 17: Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades (MCG)
Monday, January 18: Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes (Sydney Showground)
Tuesday, January 19: Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat (Marvel Stadium, Docklands)
Wednesday, January 20: Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars (Marvel Stadium, Docklands)
Thursday, January 21: Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat (MCG)
Friday, January 22: Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers (Marvel Stadium, Docklands), Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunders (SCG)
Saturday, January 23: Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat (Marvel Stadium, Docklands), Melbourne Stars v Perth Scorchers (MCG)
Sunday, January 24: Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers (Sydney Showground), Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes (SCG)
Monday, January 25: Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder (Sydney Showground)
Tuesday, January 26: Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers (SCG), Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes (MCG), Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers (MCG)
BBL10 FINALS
Friday, January 29: Elimination final (4th v 5th)
Saturday, January 30: Qualifying final (1st v 2nd)
Sunday, January 31: Knockout final (3rd v winner of elimination final)
Thursday, February 4: Challenger final (Loser of qualifying final v winner of knockout final)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6: FINAL (Winner of qualifying final v winner of challenger final)
TV: Channel Seven, Fox Sports and KAYO in Australia, with Fox Sports and KAYO covering all matches. Broadcast partners include: Sky Sport in New Zealand; BT Sport in Britain; Sony ESPN in India; PTV Sports in Pakistan; Sony Six in Sri Lanka; Willow TV and NBC Sports Gold in the US; SuperSport in South Africa; CBN and ATN Cricket Plus in Canada; NBC Papua New Guinea in New Guinea; Fox Sports Asia in South-East Asia; SPN Sports India in Central Asia; Kwese Sports in Africa; Sports Max and Flow Sports in the West Indies.
Quick guide to the 2020-21 Big Bash League
First match: Thursday, December 11: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers, Blundstone Arena
Defending champions: Sydney Sixers
List of Big Bash League champions
.tftable {font-size:12px;color:#333333;width:100%;border-width: 1px;border-color: #729ea5;border-collapse: collapse;}
.tftable th {font-size:12px;background-color:#acc8cc;border-width: 1px;padding: 8px;border-style: solid;border-color: #729ea5;text-align:left;}
.tftable tr {background-color:#d4e3e5;}
.tftable td {font-size:12px;border-width: 1px;padding: 8px;border-style: solid;border-color: #729ea5;}
.tftable tr:hover {background-color:#ffffff;}
Year | Winners | Runners-up | Top run-scorer | Top wicket-taker | Player of series |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011-12 | Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers | Travis Birt (Hobart) 309 | Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (Hobart) 15 | David Hussey (Melb Stars) |
2012-13 | Brisbane Heat | Perth Scorchers | Shaun Marsh (Perth) 412 | Ben Laughlin (Hobart) 14 | Aaron Finch (Melb Renegades) |
2013-14 | Perth Scorchers | Hobart Hurricanes | Ben Dunk (Hobart) 395 | Cameron Gannon (Brisbane) 18 | Ben Dunk (Hobart) |
2014-15 | Perth Scorchers | Sydney Sixers | Michael Klinger (Perth) 326 | John Hastings (Melb Stars) 16 | Jacques Kallis (Sydney Thunder) |
2015-16 | Sydney Thunder | Melbourne Stars | Chris Lynn (Brisbane) 378 | Clint McKay (Syd Thunder)18 | Chris Lynn (Brisbane) |
2016-17 | Perth Scorchers | Sydney Sixers | Ben Dunk (Adelaide) 364 | Sean Abbott (Syd Sixers) 20 | Chris Lynn (Brisbane) |
2017-18 | Adelaide Strikers | Hobart Hurricanes | D’Arcy Short (Hobart) 572 | Rashid Khan (Adelaide), Dwayne Bravo (Melb Renegades) 18 | D’Arcy Short (Hobart) |
2018-19 | Melbourne Renegades | Melbourne Stars | D’Arcy Short (Hobart) 637 | Kane Richardson (Melb Renegades) 24 | D’Arcy Short (Hobart) |
2019-20 | Sydney Sixers | Melbourne Stars | Marcus Stoinis (Melb Stars) 705 | Daniel Sams (Syd Thunder) 30 | Marcus Stoinis (Melb Stars) |
2020-21 |
How the BBL teams shape up for 2020-2021
Sydney Thunder
The hot and cold Thunder have been cold since winning the title in 2015-16 and finished fifth last season as their cross-town rivals took their second title. They welcome Kiwi paceman Adam Milne this season as well as signing powerful all-rounder from the Brisbane Heat.
Home ground: Sydney Showground Stadium, Manuka Oval. Captain: Callum Ferguson Coach: Shane Bond. International players: Alex Hales (England), Adam Milne (NZ), Sam Billings (England, arrives after Christmas).
Ladbrokes odds: $11
Sydney Sixers
Took their second title last season and they have kept most of the squad intact. They have a tough and experienced line-up and if they can make the finals they will regain such stars as Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon at the end of the season. Always dangerous.
Home ground: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Captain: Moises Henriques. Coach: Greg Shipperd. International players: Jake Ball (England, arrives after Christmas), Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies), James Vince (England).
Ladbrokes odds: $7
Perth Scorchers
The most successful team in this league but finished only sixth of eight last season and they will be keen to get back to the pointy end of the competition this time. Powerful all-rounder Mitch Marsh will need to lead from the front and once all their internationals arrive they have an imposing line-up.
Home ground: Optus Stadium. Captain: Mitchell Marsh. Coach: Adam Voges. International players: Joe Clarke (England, first three games), Colin Munro (New Zealand), Jason Roy (England, arrives after Christmas), Liam Livingstone (England, arrives after Christmas).
Ladbrokes odds: $5.50
Melbourne Stars
Have never really delivered on all their promise in this league but they came so close the past two seasons in finishing runner-up. So many all-rounders in this line-up led by short-form ace Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Seb Gotch and Marcus Stoinis. The team to beat. Dealt a blow when Jonny Bairstow was forced to cancel his trip because he was included in the England Test squad but sure to come up with worthy replacements.
Home ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Captain: Glenn Maxwell. Coach: David Hussey. International players: Zahir Khan (Afghanistan), Nicholas Pooran (West Indies December 19-January 10, 2021).
Ladbrokes odds: $4.50
Melbourne Renegades
The Renegades shocked many when they upstaged the Stars to become the first team from the Victorian capital to claim the title in 2018-19. But last season was a disaster as they slumped to the wooden spoon. They have shaken things up a bit and they should do much better this time around, especially if Aaron Finch is among the leading run-scorers.
Home ground: Marvel Stadium, GMHBA Stadium. Captain: Aaron Finch. Coach: Michael Klinger. International players: Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan, first three games), Imran Tahir (South Africa, arrives after Christmas), Rilee Rossouw (South Africa), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan, first 10 games), Imad Wasim (Pakistan, arrives after Christmas).
Ladbrokes odds: $9
Brisbane Heat
The Heat have a very different look for 2020-21. They hope to have a fit Chris Lynn working his magic at the top of the order and have recruited veteran South African bowler Morne Morkel. Rising Englishman Tom Banton has decided against coming, citing ”bubble fatigue”, a blow for the Heat, one of the great underachievers of the BBL. They have already been dealt a hit with Mujeeb Ur Rahman testing positive to COVID-19 while in quarantine.
Home ground: Gabba, Metricon Stadium. Captain: Chris Lynn. Coach: Darren Lehmann. International players: Dan Lawrence (England, first three games), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan, first nine games), Lewis Gregory (England, arrives after Christmas).
Ladbrokes odds: $9
Adelaide Strikers
The Strikers finally broke through to win the title in 2017-18 and were OK again last season finishing third. They are sometimes victim of their success with players such as keeper Alex Carey and Travis Head called on for more national duty. They have the great Rashid Khan though he may well be called away to play for his country, while English spinner Danny Briggs has done well in the shortest form of the game and is a player to watch.
Home ground: Adelaide Oval. Captain: Travis Head. Coach: Jason Gillespie. International players: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan, first 10 games), Phil Salt (England, arrives after Christmas), Danny Briggs (England).
Ladbrokes odds: $7
Hobart Hurricanes
The team from the Apple Isle finished runner-up in 2017-18 and then dominated the 2018-19 season before stumbling in the finals. Last season they again fell short to finish fourth. They have three of the best and most powerful strikers in the event in Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short and captain Matthew Wade. Their bowling attack this season does not look overly srong but they do have the world’s No.1-ranked T20 batsman Dawid Malan arriving after Christmas so the weak attack might not matter.
Home ground: Bellerive Oval (Blundstone Arena), University of Tasmania Stadium. Captain: Matthew Wade. Coach: Adam Griffith. International players: Colin Ingram (New Zealand, first four games), Will Jacks (England, first four games), Keemo Paul (West Indies, arrives after Christmas), Dawid Malan (England, arrives after Christmas), Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal, arrives after New Year).
Ladbrokes odds: $7