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

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

Date Home Away Venue TV
19-Dec Brisbane Heat Adelaide Strikers Gabba 7 & Fox
20-Dec Melbourne Renegades Perth Scorchers Marvel Stadium 7 & Fox
21-Dec Sydney Thunder Melbourne Stars TBC 7 & Fox
22-Dec Sydney Sixers Perth Scorchers SCG Fox
22-Dec Brisbane Heat Hobart Hurricanes Metricon Stadium Fox
23-Dec Adelaide Strikers Melbourne Renegades Adelaide Oval 7 & Fox
24-Dec Hobart Hurricanes Melbourne Stars Blundstone Arena Fox
24-Dec Sydney Thunder Sydney Sixers Spotless Stadium 7 & Fox
26-Dec Perth Scorchers Adelaide Strikers Optus Stadium 7 & Fox
27-Dec Sydney Sixers Melbourne Stars SCG 7 & Fox
28-Dec Hobart Hurricanes Sydney Thunder Blundstone Arena 7 & Fox
29-Dec Melbourne Renegades Sydney Sixers Marvel Stadium Fox
30-Dec Hobart Hurricanes Perth Scorchers UTAS Stadium 7 & Fox
31-Dec Adelaide Strikers Sydney Thunder Adelaide Oval 7 & Fox
1-Jan Brisbane Heat Sydney Sixers Metricon Stadium 7 & Fox
1-Jan Melbourne Stars Melbourne Renegades MCG 7 & Fox
2-Jan Sydney Thunder Perth Scorchers Spotless Stadium 7 & Fox
3-Jan Melbourne Renegades Adelaide Strikers TBC 7 & Fox
4-Jan Hobart Hurricanes Sydney Sixers Blundstone Arena 7 & Fox
5-Jan Melbourne Stars Sydney Thunder Metricon Stadium Fox
5-Jan Perth Scorchers Brisbane Heat Optus Stadium Fox
6-Jan Adelaide Strikers Sydney Sixers Adelaide Oval 7 & Fox
7-Jan Melbourne Renegades Hobart Hurricanes Marvel Stadium 7 & Fox
8-Jan Sydney Thunder Brisbane Heat Spotless Stadium 7 & Fox
9-Jan Melbourne Stars Perth Scorchers MCG 7 & Fox
10-Jan Brisbane Heat Melbourne Renegades Gabba 7 & Fox
11-Jan Adelaide Strikers Melbourne Stars Adelaide Oval Fox
13-Jan Sydney Thunder Adelaide Strikers Spotless Stadium Fox
13-Jan Melbourne Renegades Brisbane Heat TBC 7 & Fox
13-Jan Perth Scorchers Sydney Sixers Optus Stadium 7 & Fox
14-Jan Melbourne Stars Hobart Hurricanes MCG 7 & Fox
16-Jan Sydney Sixers Melbourne Renegades SCG 7 & Fox
17-Jan Brisbane Heat Sydney Thunder Gabba 7 & Fox
18-Jan Perth Scorchers Hobart Hurricanes Optus Stadium Fox
19-Jan Melbourne Renegades Melbourne Stars Marvel Stadium Fox
20-Jan Sydney Sixers Brisbane Heat SCG 7 & Fox
21-Jan Adelaide Strikers Hobart Hurricanes Adelaide Oval 7 & Fox
22-Jan Sydney Thunder Melbourne Renegades Spotless Stadium 7 & Fox
23-Jan Melbourne Stars Adelaide Strikers TBC 7 & Fox
23-Jan Sydney Sixers Hobart Hurricanes SCG 7 & Fox
24-Jan Perth Scorchers Sydney Thunder Optus Stadium 7 & Fox
27-Jan Melbourne Stars Brisbane Heat MCG 7 & Fox
28-Jan Perth Scorchers Melbourne Renegades Optus Stadium 7 & Fox
29-Jan Hobart Hurricanes Brisbane Heat Blundstone Arena Fox
29-Jan Sydney Sixers Adelaide Strikers SCG Fox
30-Jan Melbourne Renegades Sydney Thunder Marvel Stadium Fox
31-Jan Hobart Hurricanes Adelaide Strikers UTAS Stadium 7 & Fox
1-Feb Brisbane Heat Perth Scorchers Gabba 7 & Fox
2-Feb Sydney Sixers Sydney Thunder SCG Fox
3-Feb Adelaide Strikers Brisbane Heat Adelaide Oval Fox
3-Feb Perth Scorchers Melbourne Stars Optus Stadium 7 & Fox
7-Feb Hobart Hurricanes Melbourne Renegades Blundstone Arena 7 & Fox
8-Feb Brisbane Heat Melbourne Stars Gabba 7 & Fox
9-Feb Adelaide Strikers Perth Scorchers Traeger Park 7 & Fox
9-Feb Sydney Thunder Hobart Hurricanes TBC Fox
10-Feb Melbourne Stars Sydney Sixers MCG 7 & Fox
14-Feb Semi-Final TBD TBC 7 & Fox
15-Feb Semi-Final TBD TBC 7 & Fox
17-Feb Final TBD TBC 7 & Fox

Angus Reid

Angus Reid Photo