BBL 08: Five reasons to be excited for the Big Bash League this summer

Contributor
Angus Reid
BBL 08: Five reasons to be excited for the Big Bash League this summer image

We hope you have enjoyed talking with your family throughout the winter because summer is going to be all about the Big Bash League.

59 matches (up from 40 in BBL 07) will take place between the opener on December 19 and the final on February 17, which every club playing 14 games each before the finals series begin.

Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast will host BBL fixtures for the first time, while we will also have two fixtures played on Christmas Eve.

The same semi-finals system will stay in place, with the first-placed club taking on the side that finished fourth, and two and three going head-to-head for a place in the decider.

MORE: Mitchell Marsh 'absolutely' has what it takes for Australian cricket captaincy

Read on below five reasons why you should be excited about the Big Bash League's eighth season.

 

MORE CRICKET THAN EVER BEFORE

I mean, 59 matches across two months. How much better can it get?

New cricket overlords Fox Sports have really brought out the big guns, with a ridiculous amount of live action being brought into our living rooms.

All 59 matches will be broadcast via the subscriber, while Channel Seven will broadcast 43.

We have a full rundown of the fixtures at the bottom of this page.

DON'T BOTHER SHOWERING ON JANUARY 27TH

Sport lovers have dreamed of this day for many years, but it is sure to stress out a certain few of us.

On Sunday, January 27th, Australia begins their day-night Test against Sri Lanka at the 'Gabba.

The same night, Melbourne Stars host the Brisbane Heat at the MCG in what will be an absolute blockbuster.

But that's not all.

The very same night, just down the road from the MCG, we will also be able to watch the Australian Open men's final.

How does that even work?

CAN WE CONVINCE AB DE VILLIERS TO COME DOWN UNDER?

There was sadness all around the cricketing community when AB de Villiers decided to hang up the boots after a stellar career.

One group of people that would have seen an opportunity here are Big Bash pundits.

AB has been linked to the Big Bash in previous years, but international cricket has always got in the way.

The South African legend was set to continue playing T20 cricket, and at the right price, who wouldn't want to come to Australia for a couple of months and knock a ball around in front of packed stadiums.

Why would any club splurge on the superstar? Watch below.


 

MATTHEW RENSHAW OUT TO PROVE HIMSELF

When Matt Renshaw burst onto the international scene, everyone saw his big frame and immediately thought of Matthew Hayden.

Hayden was one of the most damaging batsmen Australia has ever produced, and some pundits were a little disappointed when Renshaw seemed to be a nudger at the crease, rather than an enforcer.

The 22-year-old wants to change people's minds.

"If I have a bit more intent, I'll generally bat a lot better than sitting back and blocking," Renshaw said at the launch of BBL 08.

"I've been (pigeonholed) as a red-ball cricketer over the last few years of my cricket career.

"Coming in this year, playing a game for the Heat at the start of the year and scoring some runs at a higher strike-rate has probably changed a few people's minds."

BASH BROTHERS

Chris Lynn.


 

Brendon McCullum.

Them together.

That is all.

FULL BIG BASH LEAGUE FIXTURES LIST

DateHomeAwayVenueTV
19-DecBrisbane HeatAdelaide StrikersGabba7 & Fox
20-DecMelbourne RenegadesPerth ScorchersMarvel Stadium7 & Fox
21-DecSydney ThunderMelbourne StarsTBC7 & Fox
22-DecSydney SixersPerth ScorchersSCGFox
22-DecBrisbane HeatHobart HurricanesMetricon StadiumFox
23-DecAdelaide StrikersMelbourne RenegadesAdelaide Oval7 & Fox
24-DecHobart HurricanesMelbourne StarsBlundstone ArenaFox
24-DecSydney ThunderSydney SixersSpotless Stadium7 & Fox
26-DecPerth ScorchersAdelaide StrikersOptus Stadium7 & Fox
27-DecSydney SixersMelbourne StarsSCG7 & Fox
28-DecHobart HurricanesSydney ThunderBlundstone Arena7 & Fox
29-DecMelbourne RenegadesSydney SixersMarvel StadiumFox
30-DecHobart HurricanesPerth ScorchersUTAS Stadium7 & Fox
31-DecAdelaide StrikersSydney ThunderAdelaide Oval7 & Fox
1-JanBrisbane HeatSydney SixersMetricon Stadium7 & Fox
1-JanMelbourne StarsMelbourne RenegadesMCG7 & Fox
2-JanSydney ThunderPerth ScorchersSpotless Stadium7 & Fox
3-JanMelbourne RenegadesAdelaide StrikersTBC7 & Fox
4-JanHobart HurricanesSydney SixersBlundstone Arena7 & Fox
5-JanMelbourne StarsSydney ThunderMetricon StadiumFox
5-JanPerth ScorchersBrisbane HeatOptus StadiumFox
6-JanAdelaide StrikersSydney SixersAdelaide Oval7 & Fox
7-JanMelbourne RenegadesHobart HurricanesMarvel Stadium7 & Fox
8-JanSydney ThunderBrisbane HeatSpotless Stadium7 & Fox
9-JanMelbourne StarsPerth ScorchersMCG7 & Fox
10-JanBrisbane HeatMelbourne RenegadesGabba7 & Fox
11-JanAdelaide StrikersMelbourne StarsAdelaide OvalFox
13-JanSydney ThunderAdelaide StrikersSpotless StadiumFox
13-JanMelbourne RenegadesBrisbane HeatTBC7 & Fox
13-JanPerth ScorchersSydney SixersOptus Stadium7 & Fox
14-JanMelbourne StarsHobart HurricanesMCG7 & Fox
16-JanSydney SixersMelbourne RenegadesSCG7 & Fox
17-JanBrisbane HeatSydney ThunderGabba7 & Fox
18-JanPerth ScorchersHobart HurricanesOptus StadiumFox
19-JanMelbourne RenegadesMelbourne StarsMarvel StadiumFox
20-JanSydney SixersBrisbane HeatSCG7 & Fox
21-JanAdelaide StrikersHobart HurricanesAdelaide Oval7 & Fox
22-JanSydney ThunderMelbourne RenegadesSpotless Stadium7 & Fox
23-JanMelbourne StarsAdelaide StrikersTBC7 & Fox
23-JanSydney SixersHobart HurricanesSCG7 & Fox
24-JanPerth ScorchersSydney ThunderOptus Stadium7 & Fox
27-JanMelbourne StarsBrisbane HeatMCG7 & Fox
28-JanPerth ScorchersMelbourne RenegadesOptus Stadium7 & Fox
29-JanHobart HurricanesBrisbane HeatBlundstone ArenaFox
29-JanSydney SixersAdelaide StrikersSCGFox
30-JanMelbourne RenegadesSydney ThunderMarvel StadiumFox
31-JanHobart HurricanesAdelaide StrikersUTAS Stadium7 & Fox
1-FebBrisbane HeatPerth ScorchersGabba7 & Fox
2-FebSydney SixersSydney ThunderSCGFox
3-FebAdelaide StrikersBrisbane HeatAdelaide OvalFox
3-FebPerth ScorchersMelbourne StarsOptus Stadium7 & Fox
7-FebHobart HurricanesMelbourne RenegadesBlundstone Arena7 & Fox
8-FebBrisbane HeatMelbourne StarsGabba7 & Fox
9-FebAdelaide StrikersPerth ScorchersTraeger Park7 & Fox
9-FebSydney ThunderHobart HurricanesTBCFox
10-FebMelbourne StarsSydney SixersMCG7 & Fox
14-FebSemi-FinalTBDTBC7 & Fox
15-FebSemi-FinalTBDTBC7 & Fox
17-FebFinalTBDTBC7 & Fox