New Rules in Big Bash League, X-Factor, Power Surge and Bash Boost
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New Rules in Big Bash League, X-Factor, Power Surge and Bash Boost. BBL added a new set of rules ahead of the 10 edition. New Rules in Big Bash League, X-Factor, Power Surge and Bash Boost.

Power Surge, Bash Boost and X-Factor Player are three new rules unveiled by the Big Bash League. To make the sports more interesting and to drive spectators’ interest in the game is the main reason for the changes.

Power Surge:

The power Surge will be two over period and the fielding side is allowed two fielders outside the inner circle. Power Surge can be taken any time after the 10th over in the inning by the batting team. However, the powerplay has been reduced to just 4 overs.

X-Factor Player:

The X-Factor player is the 12th or 13th player in the squad, can come into the game after the 10th over of the first innings. The X-Factor player can only replace the player who is yet to bat or has not bowled more than one over.

Bash Boost:

Another rule to make the Big Bash League more interesting and competitive is Bash Boost. The Bash Boost will be a bonus point given to the teams midway through the second innings. The chasing team will be awarded the bonus point “ if they’re above the equivalent 10-over score of their opposition”. However, if the chasing team will be behind the 10 over mark, then the fielding team will be awarded the bonus points. Now teams can acquire 3 points through a match which was earlier two.

Trent Woodhill on New Rules in Big Bash League:

“We need innovation because people like change, but I think these (changes) will actually improve the game itself,” Trent Woodhill, player acquisition and cricket consultant for the BBL, told cricket.com.au.

“I come from things from a high-performance perspective, rather than just a gimmick, so I like that these changes pass the high-performance test around strategy and elite performance.

“It’s going to put pressure on leaders and coaches. Having been involved in over 300 T20 matches in the women’s and men’s games, T20s have a pattern, and this will blow that pattern up.

“It’ll make players have to think on their feet a little bit, and … it’s forcing you on game day to have a narrative that both fans and broadcasters alike will have to delve into and ask questions of the decisions being made, or not made.”

“Last year the Stars got 220-odd against the Sixers, and the chances of the Sixers chasing that down were slim,” he explained. “They made a good fist of it and got 180-odd, but even though they only lost by 30 runs they were out of the game a long way before the 20th over.

“So it’s interesting, they play off against each other: the X-factor sub might mean that some teams think they’ll bat first, but then the Bash Boost point might tempt them to bat second and try to chase down that 10-over total.

“So they’re all around that segmenting of matches to keep people invested across the whole 40 overs – not just in Powerplays or death overs.”

“We see in AFL at three-quarter time where the coach has to go out and give a speech to his team, there’ll be conversations about that, broadcasters will speculate about what was potentially said, and in this way coaches will have more to do in the spotlight, and there’ll be a greater spotlight on captains and their calls.

“My big thing with T20 is we’ve got to continually analyse and push the game. There is a lot of analytics in sport and a lot of discussion around it, and I think this will continue to add to the colour and the fun of BBL, but now you’ll have a deeper insight into why somebody has made the decision they have.”

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Mohit is an experienced author at ICC Cricket Schedule, with a wealth of knowledge spanning 5 years. He specializes in crafting articles on various aspects of cricket, including news updates, fantasy cricket tips, statistical analysis, and insightful commentary.