Five Reasons Why You Should Watch the Big Bash.

by Paul Morello

The Big Bash is back (baby!) and better than ever.

As the silly season approaches, now not only do I look forward to the beach, babes beers and BBQ’s, but now also the BBL. In only its seventh season, the Big Bash League has given us all something we never knew we wanted or needed – more cricket.

Here’s five reasons why you should tune in…

1) It’s the only thing on that’s worth watching.

When I was a young lad, summer television stunk. Outside of ratings season, the December to February stretch was horrid. Instead of the Simpsons, we got Step by Step. Instead of Home Improvement, Hogan’s Heroes. “Hogannnnnn!”

The BBL on nightly is a luxury previous generations weren’t afforded (like marriage equality and breakfast at McDonalds) and it’s a kick in guts to your elders to not tune in.

2) The Internationals.

MacCullum (NZ) - Brisbane, Pieterson and Wright (ENG) - Melbourne Stars, Morgan (IRE / ENG) - Sydney Thunder, Bravo and Narine (Windies) - Melbourne Renegades, etc. are again returning to our shores to entertain (and cash a healthy pay packet). The foreigners bring not only elite skill-sets, but also an energy and flair that gives the tournament worldwide appeal.

3) The Locals.

The next generation of Australian stars have emerged before our eyes in the Big Bash. Unlike the domestic shield, and one day competitions, that go on each summer unnoticed, players like Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Ben Dunk, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Ben Laughlin have become household names thanks to this tournament – and so it will continue.

4) It’s the people’s tournament, and you’re a person.

Whether you’re in the outer, or the lounge room pavilion, the tournament is family friendly and offers something for everyone. (Runs, Wickets, Flame Throwers, Tunes, etc).

Taking place during school holidays, during the vortex that is post dinner / pre-bed for families, it saves a lot of trips to Video Ezy for parents – and the 10pm finishes make it easy to ship the kids off to bed after the final ball is bowled.

(Edit: It has been brought to my attention that both Video Ezy has inexplicably gone out of business).

5) The Faint Chance of a Super Over.

Super overs are the way the BBL break a tied game. Whoever scores the most from their six balls win.

While some people think Big Bash is a bastardisation of the game, reducing the contest to a twenty over of slap, bash, wallop, I’m not one of them. In fact, I could make a case for all games being condensed down to Super Overs :p nahhhh, not really.