BBL, WBBL to introduce DRS in upcoming season

image-l8mpqduzPerth Scorchers are the defending BBL champions [PC: Twitter]

The upcoming season of Big Bash League (BBL) and Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) will introduce Decision Review System (DRS) technology for the first time since the tournament's inception. 

Apart from DRS, several amendments to playing conditions have also been locked in. The 'Power Surge' will be implemented for the first time in the women's league, after being a hit in the men's competition.


DRS System

The DRS will be used across all 24 WBBL 08 and BBL 12 matches. The process for taking an on-field review is as follows: 

  • 15 seconds to call for a review
  • One unsuccessful review per innings, per team
  • Reviewing team to keep their one unsuccessful review if the decision results in ‘Umpire’s Call’


Innings Clock

 BBL 12 will witness an innings clock this season, with innovations like Bash Boost and X-factor substitution being removed altogether. 

The innings clock will ensure that the fielding teams bowl their 19th over inside the 79 minutes, failing which an in-game penalty and field restriction would be imposed.

This will only be seen in BBL 12 and not WBBL 08.


Power Surge

After gaining popularity in the BBL last year, Power Surge has made its way into the WBBL this year.

All matches will feature four-over powerplay at the start of an innings, with a two-over Power Surge being called by the batting team between the 11-20th overs.

Only two fielders are permitted to stay outside the 30-year circle in these mandatory overs.


Here's how Alistair Dobson, GM Big Bash Leagues, reacted to DRS enforcement 

"The League is delighted to introduce DRS to every KFC BBL game and the 24 simulcast Weber WBBL games, in line with the very best cricket competitions in the world. Implementing DRS has been a challenging task for the BBL, which is the most logistically complex T20 league in the world."

BBL 2022-23 begins from December 13, while WBBL 2022 gets underway from October 13. 

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