Big Bash League Undergoes Major Revamp; Cricket Australia Reveals Changes
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The Big Bash League (BBL) is set to undergo a revamp following a recent announcement by Cricket Australia (CA). These changes relate to the contract and availability of players, and include a substantial increase in player remuneration.
The new rule allows each team of the tournament to enlist up to two Cricket Australia (CA)-contracted players on a Marquee Supplementary List. These players will be available for selection only if the need arises.
In another major development, every team in the Big Bash League (BBL) are now required to have at least six marquee players who earn a minimum of $200,000 per season, whether they are domestic, overseas, or centrally-contracted players.
This development comes after the total payments pool for each club increased from $1.9 million to $3 million for BBL|13, with a combined payment of at least $1.7 million for the six marquee players.
In addition to that, the league has confirmed that three of the four draft bands will receive salary boosts. It is worth noting that platinum picks will now earn AU$420,000 in BBL|13 while their female counterparts will get AU$110,000.
Also, in contrast to the previous season, where players signed under platinum category like Rashid Khan and Trent Boult received full wages despite leaving midway to participate in other T20 leagues, must now be present for the entire season to receive their full payment. However, those available for eight matches or fewer will still receive AU$360,000.
The draft salary structure for overseas players has also been updated, with gold picks experiencing the massive boost. These players will now earn AU$300,000 while Silver picks will also benefit from a 14% raise, earning $200,000. Players coming under bronze will continue getting their payment of $100,000 in BBL|13.
The primary objective of Cricket Australia to make these amendments is to promote the involvement of big names in the league while also allowing clubs to maintain their roster spots and cap space by avoiding the players who will not be available for the January Tests this summer.
Here’s what general manager of Big Bash League, Alistair Dobson said:
"It's always our ambition for as many of those players to be part of the BBL as possible.”
"We hope that the mechanisms will enable clubs to sign players even if they are either unlikely or not available. Because having them around the BBL and ready if available, is a really important part of the competition for us."
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