BBL & WBBL Rule Changes: DRS Finally Introduced In Australia's T20 League; Bash Boost & X-Factor Scrapped

Cricket Australia had desired DRS for BBL & WBBL for a long time to stand head head-to-head with other T20 leagues in the world.

Cricket Image for BBL & WBBL Rule Changes: DRS Finally Introduced In Australia's T20 League; Bash Bo (Image Source: Twitter)

In a change of rules, Decision Review System (DRS) is finally set to be introduced in the Australian men's & women's domestic T20 tournament - Big Bash League, for the upcoming season. While the Bash Boost & X-Factor have been scrapped from the rules with Power Surge set to start in the Women Big Bash League (WBBL). 

Cricket Australia (CA) announced a bunch of changes in the BBL & WBBL tournaments on September 29th (Thursday). An innings clock is also set to be introduced in the BBL, where the teams would be required to bowl out the 20 overs under 79 minutes, or else a penalty of only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle in the remainder of the innings will incur. 

BBL had desired for DRS for a long time to stand head-to-head with other T20 leagues in the world. An attempt of introducing the DRS was scrapped by the Covid-19 pandemic - with state borders being constantly closed and other scheduling changes preventing the required ball-tracking technology from being stationed across multiple venues in Australia. 

However, only 24 out of 59 matches will feature the DRS feature. As the host broadcaster, Channel Seven will produce these 24 matches, while the rest of the matches will be streamed online on Foxtel. Streamed matches won't have the required technology and will be played without the DRS. A statement by CA says, 'the league will continue to strive towards greater DRS coverage for future WBBL seasons', hoping that the next broadcast deal, likely in 2024-25 will feature all the WBBL matches televised and have DRS. 

'Power Surge' is set to feature in the WBBL for the first time in the league's history - where the 6-over powerplay will be shortened to 4 overs with a two-over surge introduced. The surge can be called by the team batting in the last 10 overs with just two fielders outside the circle in the 2 overs. Power Surge has been a successful addition in the Men's BBL and CA decided upon introducing this in Women's BBL as well. 

The Bash Boost & X-Factor didn't receive the popularity CA thought it would and feedback from teams and fans has caused Cricket Australia to scrap of these rules. That means the teams will now return to naming a standard playing XI - with substitute fielders and concussion substitutes available, as per the normal conditions. The points system will also return to two for a win, one for a tie/no result and zero points for a loss. 

The Big Bash League has confirmed the long-awaited introduction of DRS this summer, alongside some significant rule changes@jackpayn | #WBBL08 | #BBL12 https://t.co/SJEB80aoQE

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 29, 2022

The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) will commence on October 13th, 2022 while the Men's Big Bash League (BBL) will get underway on December 13th, 2022.