The Big Bash League is experimenting new ways to be innovative with the introduction of a bat flip to replace the coin toss, but the concept has been a hard pill to swallow for the traditionalists.
Former Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson believes the focus on needless ideas has taken away the attention on more important elements such as game development.
He also questioned whether Cricket Australia's priority still lied in Test cricket, or if the money-making shorter formats had taken precedence.
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Johnson's fired-up comments come at a feverish time where the Australian Test team conceded a series-opening defeat to India on home soil for the first time in their history.
''I’m guessing sponsors will be plastered all over the bat. What next, one hand one bounce, electric wickie, 6 & out, unless hit out of the stadium!! Let’s worry about game development & other important things that matter. Is the baggy green top priority these days?'' Johnson ranted on Twitter.
I’m guessing sponsors will be plastered all over the bat. What next, one hand one bounce, electric wickie, 6 & out, unless hit out of the stadium!! Let’s worry about game development & other important things that matter. Is the baggy green top priority these days?
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 11, 2018
Seemingly a harmless concept, captains in BBL08 will flip a specially designed bat that will replace the coin toss.
The cricket bat that will be used in the flip has been modified in order to achieve each result 50 per cent of the time, with hills statistically more likely on the regular bat.
The bat flip will get its first run at the 'Gabba on December 19 when Brisbane Heat take on Adelaide Strikers.
Johnson has been vocal since taking on media duties in his post-cricket career, hitting out at Australian quick Mitchell Starc for his performance in the first Test.
“I just don’t like his body language," Johnson told ABC Grandstand.
“He hasn’t given a bit of a glare or puffed his chest out with a good follow through, let the batsman know he’s in the contest, that he’s going to rip the pegs out.”
