Cricket’s shortest format is set for another shake-up, with Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) preparing to introduce new rules aimed at making T20 matches more dynamic and strategic.
From the upcoming season, teams will be allowed to name a designated batter and a designated fielder, restricting certain players to specific roles during a match.
Under the new rule, a designated batter will be allowed to bat but will not take part in fielding. Conversely, a designated fielder will be permitted to field and keep wicket but will not be allowed to bowl. If a team opts to use a designated batter, it must also name a designated fielder at the same time.
The captains of both teams will be required to announce their designated players before the toss.
BBL manager Alastair Dobson said the move would add a new strategic layer to the competition and enhance the entertainment value for spectators.
Former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting also welcomed the change, saying it could help reduce player fatigue and lower the risk of injury, particularly for star batters. He added that the rule could encourage more Australian Test cricketers to take part in the BBL in future seasons.
The move follows similar experimentation in other T20 leagues. The Indian Premier League introduced the Impact Player rule, allowing substitutions during an innings. The BBL itself trialled the X-Factor Player rule between 2020 and 2022, which permitted two substitutions per match, but it was later scrapped due to limited interest from teams.
The designated player system marks the latest effort by the BBL to innovate and maintain its position at the forefront of T20 cricket.
Source: ESPNcricinfo
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