Cricket Australia, the governing body of the Big Bash League (BBL) has come up with revolutionary rules for the upcoming season of the T20 series. Cricket Australia has introduced three new innovations (Power Surge, X-Factor Player, and Bash Boost) in a bid to intensify the BBL, which commences on 10th December. Here in this article, we talk about BBL X-Factor Rule.
Power Surge:
This rule is a variation to the powerplay feature. It means a reduced powerplay of 4 overs at the start of the innings, unlike the conventional powerplay which lasts for 6 overs. To make up for those 2 overs, a batting team can choose any slot of 2 continuous overs from the start of the 11th over.
X-factor Player:
This rule will help teams to plan their strategies dynamically. Teams can call upon a player (12th or 13th in the team sheet) to replace anyone from their starting XI, provided that the replaced player hasn’t bowled more than an over or is yet to bat in the match.
New Zealand all-rounder, Jimmy Neesham didn’t seem particularly impressed with this X-factor player rule. He believed that if a player isn’t good enough to start in the playing XI how could he turn out to be an X-factor.
Bash Boost:
The 3rd rule implies a point being awarded to a team basis on how it has fared in the first half of the chase. This means if the chasing team is ahead of the runs the opposing team scored at the halfway mark. Then it would be awarded one additional point.
While if the defending team keeps the chasing team below its score at the same halfway stage. They would bag one extra point.
The measures have got the entire cricket world talking. As these new rules have received plenty of mixed reactions from the fans.
We have seen how successful the T20 format can be with IPL being a shining example. People are wondering then what is the pressing need to complicate things?
