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Cricket Australia is considering BBL 16 opener in India

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Cricket Australia is considering staging the first Big Bash game of next season not in Sydney, Melbourne or even Auckland. But in India.

The bold ambition is part of a wider strategy to intertwine the lucrative Indian market with the BBL ahead of a near-certain sale for at least two of its eight franchises.

SEN Cricket understands two senior Cricket Australia staffers travelled to India recently to investigate the possibility of a regular season BBL game being played, ideally in Chennai.

Head of business operations Phil Rigby and head of competition development and strategy Margot Harley flew to India as discussions ramp up around the logistics of an offshore game.

While no BBL clubs have been formally briefed, the Perth Scorchers appear a logical choice to play in India given their time zone and an openness from WACA officials to consider offers from wealthy Indian business figures.

Other clubs are aware of Cricket Australia’s desire to stage the season-opener in India.

However a deal is far from complete, given approval would need to be granted from various stakeholders, including broadcasters and the BCCI.

As Cricket Australia leans into the Indian market, there is a view among key figures that an annual game in Chennai could boost the sport in the same way rugby league has ventured to Las Vegas in recent times.

Also among considerations at Jolimont headquarters is Christmas Day cricket later this year.

The idea has long been discussed but never implemented across the 15 seasons of the tournament, even though the agreement between the players and the governing body now allows for derbies to be staged on the night of December 25.

Cricket Australia wants to save these derbies for their own dates but hasn’t given up on its ambition to have a match on Christmas night next summer.

The goal posts have shifted in Melbourne, with the soon-to-be-floodlit St Kilda Cricket Ground (Junction Oval) seen as a suitable venue for Christmas evening cricket.

Though the ground’s capacity is no more than 10,000, the match would be a TV broadcast winner.

Cricket Australia is open to the possibility of providing inducements for players to take part, including extra match payments and/or private flights to and from home.

The Melbourne Renegades would host the match, with the Hobart Hurricanes the most recent club discussed as a possible opponent.

Any Christmas night cricket between interstate opponents would require approval from the players.

www.sen.com.au

Cricket Australia to consider Big Bash opener in India

Cricket Australia's bold ambition.
www.sen.com.au www.sen.com.au
 
Would Indians go to the stadium to watch it?

Overseas games usually work well if there is a massive audience for teams or if there is an ex-pat community.

Indians fans will be able to give a better perspective but would you guys go and watch some Aussie players play in their domestic game?

I think if BBL wants to attract more Indian eyeballs it should pursue the strategy of taking retired players like Ashwin ( who sadly got injured) and other Indians who don't have contracts.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Would Indians go to the stadium to watch it?

Overseas games usually work well if there is a massive audience for teams or if there is an ex-pat community.

Indians fans will be able to give a better perspective but would you guys go and watch some Aussie players play in their domestic game?

I think if BBL wants to attract more Indian eyeballs it should pursue the strategy of taking retired players like Ashwin ( who sadly got injured) and other Indians who don't have contracts.
Click to expand...

Will be a massive crowd. Eden Gardens during this WT20 got 40k attendance even for neutral games like Eng v Sco
 
Rajdeep said:
Will be a massive crowd. Eden Gardens during this WT20 got 40k attendance even for neutral games like Eng v Sco
Click to expand...
Bro that's a world cup.

Sell out for another nations domestic league would be crazy. Especially when the main attractions from that league already play IPL.

Indians are very conscious of anything that can dilute interest in IPL so I doubt they will go for something like risk. The benefits are all for the Aussies with none really for Indian.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Bro that's a world cup.

Sell out for another nations domestic league would be crazy. Especially when the main attractions from that league already play IPL.

Indians are very conscious of anything that can dilute interest in IPL so I doubt they will go for something like risk. The benefits are all for the Aussies with none really for Indian.
Click to expand...

The novelity of it alone will pull crowds. If this is a regular event, then not many will go. However, since this is the first time a Big Bash match is hosted, I presume there will be plenty of interest. It is like how NFL games pull lots of crowd in London or WWE payper views in Saudi.
 
Indians will entertain this idea and may be we can have an all Star X1 matches with mix and match of indian local talent and BBL teams. Only if the Australia commits to sideline Pakistan completely and stops touring them as well, just like they don't play bilaterals with Afghanistan.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Would Indians go to the stadium to watch it?

Overseas games usually work well if there is a massive audience for teams or if there is an ex-pat community.

Indians fans will be able to give a better perspective but would you guys go and watch some Aussie players play in their domestic game?

I think if BBL wants to attract more Indian eyeballs it should pursue the strategy of taking retired players like Ashwin ( who sadly got injured) and other Indians who don't have contracts.
Click to expand...

Good question and suggestions.

I’m not sure how many would turn up to watch it, maybe as @Rajdeep said, first few times the novelty will attract a few. Over time, I dunno.

However, as compared to in- stadia audiences, many many more may tune in online, on apps. Certainly I’ll give it a watch (once); I’m sure there are many here who’d watch such games regularly.

Depends on timing and if they don’t clash with India’s international cricket schedule.

I had the same idea as yours of including a few retired local players. Ashwin on one side, Dhoni on the other would Imo attract Chennai crowds. Even if they don’t play, maybe make them mentors to get that needle going.

I see it as a one off for now, but it’s a decent idea.
 
Good for business, but will be disaster for CA. Flat pitches can't help them groom great talents. Because this move is certainly an indicator of conducting part of BBL in India in future.
 
They want indian market like epl viewership in China, India and far east. Bcci would allow if some clubs of bbl are allowed to be co invested/ co owned with Indian stakes.

Bbl highlights in youtube have good views, this will be full stadia, if its in kolkata / Mumbai/ chennai
 
This is pathetic and desperate from Cricket Australia, trying to leech off an Indian audience. They shouldn't ruin the authenticity of the BBL and play outside their home grounds. Every league has to feature its own uniqueness.
 
AamchiMumbaikar said:
They want indian market like epl viewership in China, India and far east. Bcci would allow if some clubs of bbl are allowed to be co invested/ co owned with Indian stakes.

Bbl highlights in youtube have good views, this will be full stadia, if its in kolkata / Mumbai/ chennai
Click to expand...

They have some Indian audience, this won’t increase if no Indian players participate in the BBL . Why would Indians pack out a stadium with no Indian players on show .
 
I have fond memories of the early years of BBL. It was great time pass and at that time the talent level was great there and just because there weren’t many rivals, it had a place of its own in the hearts and minds of global audience.

Over the years, rival leagues emerged such as ILT20, PSL, SAT20, CarribeanT20, The100 and MLC etc which are at par with BBL
now or better in many cases. So BBL doesn’t feel that special now, people see all these players in other leagues all around the year.

This is a desperate attempt by CA actually and although it might sound cringe but it’s just them going all out to try something different to gain eye balls. They tried to milk Pakistani cricketers presence to the maximum this season from marketing perspective and it worked a bit as people here were following it for that reason. Ashwin pulled off otherwise they were going to market the hell out of that as well.
 
Indians are so starved of live entertainment, there were stampedes to watch Messi kick a few balls around (not even play an exhibition game). I've no doubt 30-40K will turn up to watch a novelty Big Bash game if marketed well. Whether that actually results in any longer terms viewership and impact for the BBL - that's pretty unlikely.
 
Rajdeep said:
Will be a massive crowd. Eden Gardens during this WT20 got 40k attendance even for neutral games like Eng v Sco
Click to expand...
That's because of free entry or tickets as cheap as 100Rs. But most South cities can at least half fill the stadium like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai (even though west) for a good price.
 
Red-Indian said:
Indians are so starved of live entertainment, there were stampedes to watch Messi kick a few balls around (not even play an exhibition game). I've no doubt 30-40K will turn up to watch a novelty Big Bash game if marketed well. Whether that actually results in any longer terms viewership and impact for the BBL - that's pretty unlikely.
Click to expand...
another decision bbl will regret after signing babar n rizwan
 
No wonder why Australia's performance is declining. Too much Indian bootlicking. :inti

They just got eliminated by Zimbabwe.
 
Ball Blazer said:
another decision bbl will regret after signing babar n rizwan
Click to expand...
Pointless decision but nothing much to regret. My guess is it'll end up being a gimmick which they'll give up after a year or two if they go ahead.

What's point of trying to popularise a league in a country which has one of it's own. They should actually try games in Hongkong, Malaysia etc. where there's some knowledge of the game but no real local base. It'll be a slow pickup but if marketed well, could be useful to create overseas support in the long run like the football teams do.
 
Old school Australians had self-respect and courage.

Current bunch seem more interested in money. Also, far less self-respect. It is also showing in their performance (got eliminated by Zimbabwe recently). :inti

When Konstas was assaulted by Kohli, Konstas stood there like a retard and did nothing. Even Australia didn't say anything. It shows the weak mindset of modern day Australians. They have become soft pink balls. :inti
 
The purpose of franchise cricket is to make money — both for franchise owners and the host boards.
The largest revenue generator in cricket is India so this would be a logical step.
The key issue will be whether CA proposes to put the BBL up for team stakes to be bought by private entities, as the Hundred did.

It is probably a matter of time, as cricket in Australia (as in much of the world (except India)) is in a pretty insecure financial situation.

Indian owners will buy into the BBL (as they have in the Hundred and the SA T20 league)
 
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has confirmed receiving a proposal to host the season-opening match of the Big Bash League (BBL) in Chennai.
 
I think they should experiment with it.

It’s one more point of engagement with Australia. If it generates additional revenues, it also increases the depth or our relationship with them.

Lots of benefits there.
 
Given the extra polarization in international cricket currently, if this news is true then BCCI may just accept the proposal to keep a core partner together and help them.
I don’t believe a BBL game happening in India is a threat to IPL in any way. IPL is way too big to be affected negatively by any other league. On the other hand, it might just be a watershed moment in league cricket triggering other leagues considering a game or two of their top teams played in India.
 
charlie007 said:
Given the extra polarization in international cricket currently, if this news is true then BCCI may just accept the proposal to keep a core partner together and help them.
I don’t believe a BBL game happening in India is a threat to IPL in any way. IPL is way too big to be affected negatively by any other league. On the other hand, it might just be a watershed moment in league cricket triggering other leagues considering a game or two of their top teams played in India.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure how much it will impact the leagues long term though unless they can continue to draw Indian interest.

It would make more sense for the mini IPL teams like ILT20 or CSA20.

Again I am just speaking as an outsider but don't see why Indians would care so much for Melbourne v Sydney, especially considering that the good players from either side will likely play IPL too.
 
If they think this is going to make them lots of money then good luck to them (though I wonder what will happen if there are Pakistani players in the teams?)

If India is the nerve centre of cricket and all that commercial financial hub of cricket etc then fine - let the Big Bash league take advantage of that. This is more legit than the ICC giving India one venue for an entire tournament etc
 
Babeikh said:
If they think this is going to make them lots of money then good luck to them (though I wonder what will happen if there are Pakistani players in the teams?)

If India is the nerve centre of cricket and all that commercial financial hub of cricket etc then fine - let the Big Bash league take advantage of that. This is more legit than the ICC giving India one venue for an entire tournament etc
Click to expand...
Babar and Rizwan gave them such trauma they went the complete opposite way lol

Now they have an excuse to never select a Pakistani player again.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
I'm not sure how much it will impact the leagues long term though unless they can continue to draw Indian interest.

It would make more sense for the mini IPL teams like ILT20 or CSA20.

Again I am just speaking as an outsider but don't see why Indians would care so much for Melbourne v Sydney, especially considering that the good players from either side will likely play IPL too.
Click to expand...
I can speak from experience that cricket matches in the evenings in India especially at cricketing metropolitan areas are just as big a draw as a movie, a loud get together, a family gathering, or doing nothing really together. It’s seen as a mode of good entertainment.
Australia does hold a positive impression among Indians, given their winning mentality and achievements, and anything Australian will attract viewership.
Indian ownership of foreign franchises are not really much of a a draw for local Indians, they’re just a business play for the corporate investors. They would rather watch Aussie and English teams - starred or not - play in India. Yes, sprinking them with retired Indian players will definitely attract a few more spectators.
 
TeymurBlake said:
Wouldn't weather be an issue in India in the winter.

Just keep it in Australia & promote it well.
Click to expand...
Not at all - winter is the best time for cricket in India. It’s not that cold, especially in the west, central, and south India.

In fact, Team India doesn’t play any cricket in India around the peak of summer between June and August, they just travel to England or West Indies or somewhere cooler if they don’t take that time off.
 
BBL franchises are owned directly by the board. Classic dilemma short vs long term $$. In the short run it's good idea to try and sell franchises to Indian corps and get a nice pay day..depends on what valuation you get though but tempting as icc tap will be dry.

long term benefit is the debate. Would the outside control end up affecting their players' thoughts on baggy green etc. there would have to be some conditions. But if I'm the investor I'm not paying big bucks to see stars gone on international duty during the season.

BBL already heavily watched and attended in Australia so it's a gamble if they turn off the Aussie crowd for the Indian viewer. Different revenue per viewer.

I think it's better to wait it out till international cricket dies then they could create a super league with countries like India and South Africa (ex. Super rugby)
 
Cryin Out Loud said:
I think they should experiment with it.

It’s one more point of engagement with Australia. If it generates additional revenues, it also increases the depth or our relationship with them.

Lots of benefits there.
Click to expand...
poor take. It will eat into to IPL. Why subsidize Aus cricket more?

with your long history in this forum, its a really really bad take.
 
Are they hosting a BBL match in India? Are there elections in Australia or any security concerns forcing them to move the BBL match here? After all, even India hosted the IPL in South Africa when the Indian government couldn't provide adequate security at home, so it's not something new and unique. :inti
 
rpant_gabba said:
poor take. It will eat into to IPL. Why subsidize Aus cricket more?

with your long history in this forum, its a really really bad take.
Click to expand...
I think you’re missing the point.

This isn’t about subsidising Aus cricket but rather building global franchises — the Mumbai Indians (via Ambani) now own MI Cape Town (SA20), MI Emirates (ILT20), MI New York (Major League Cricket) and now MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles in the Hundred).

Think of Stan Kroenke who owns many sports teams across the world (LA Rams, Colorado Nuggets) and Arsenal. At the weekend Arsenal fielded a starting XI that featured only two English players.
Kroenke doesn’t care, he isn’t subsidising English football and only cares about making money.

Thats the future of cricket
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Would Indians go to the stadium to watch it?

Overseas games usually work well if there is a massive audience for teams or if there is an ex-pat community.

Indians fans will be able to give a better perspective but would you guys go and watch some Aussie players play in their domestic game?

I think if BBL wants to attract more Indian eyeballs it should pursue the strategy of taking retired players like Ashwin ( who sadly got injured) and other Indians who don't have contracts.
Click to expand...

Expect a good crowd, i just hope bcci doesn’t block this
 
gibsyhesperis said:
I think you’re missing the point.

This isn’t about subsidising Aus cricket but rather building global franchises — the Mumbai Indians (via Ambani) now own MI Cape Town (SA20), MI Emirates (ILT20), MI New York (Major League Cricket) and now MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles in the Hundred).

Think of Stan Kroenke who owns many sports teams across the world (LA Rams, Colorado Nuggets) and Arsenal. At the weekend Arsenal fielded a starting XI that featured only two English players.
Kroenke doesn’t care, he isn’t subsidising English football and only cares about making money.

Thats the future of cricket
Click to expand...

India via ambani and others now have a stake in almost every cricket playing country, that’s the play here
 
gibsyhesperis said:
I think you’re missing the point.

This isn’t about subsidising Aus cricket but rather building global franchises — the Mumbai Indians (via Ambani) now own MI Cape Town (SA20), MI Emirates (ILT20), MI New York (Major League Cricket) and now MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles in the Hundred).

Think of Stan Kroenke who owns many sports teams across the world (LA Rams, Colorado Nuggets) and Arsenal. At the weekend Arsenal fielded a starting XI that featured only two English players.
Kroenke doesn’t care, he isn’t subsidising English football and only cares about making money.

Thats the future of cricket
Click to expand...

Cricket is not anywhere close to football in terms of popularity. This type of strategy may not work in cricket.

Football clubs have genuine and organic fanbases. Can't say the same for most of these franchise teams.
 
sweep_shot said:
Cricket is not anywhere close to football in terms of popularity. This type of strategy may not work in cricket.

Football clubs have genuine and organic fanbases. Can't say the same for most of these franchise teams.
Click to expand...

You’re a Bangladeshi sitting in canada, how did you decide that a sa20 team doesn’t have fans ?
 
gibsyhesperis said:
I think you’re missing the point.

This isn’t about subsidising Aus cricket but rather building global franchises — the Mumbai Indians (via Ambani) now own MI Cape Town (SA20), MI Emirates (ILT20), MI New York (Major League Cricket) and now MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles in the Hundred).

Think of Stan Kroenke who owns many sports teams across the world (LA Rams, Colorado Nuggets) and Arsenal. At the weekend Arsenal fielded a starting XI that featured only two English players.
Kroenke doesn’t care, he isn’t subsidising English football and only cares about making money.

Thats the future of cricket
Click to expand...
not sure how that negates what I said. BBL revenues will go to australia and benefits australia. this match will genrate revenue for BBL form indian audience and will take away from Indian sports.

Not sure why it is that difficult for you to understand.
 
Sydney Sixers, Perth Scorchers.. I don't know who is even gonna bother watching this unless they offer more than just Cricket. Perhaps a music gig or Hugh Jackman doing a dance number might help.
 
gibsyhesperis said:
I think you’re missing the point.

This isn’t about subsidising Aus cricket but rather building global franchises — the Mumbai Indians (via Ambani) now own MI Cape Town (SA20), MI Emirates (ILT20), MI New York (Major League Cricket) and now MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles in the Hundred).

Think of Stan Kroenke who owns many sports teams across the world (LA Rams, Colorado Nuggets) and Arsenal. At the weekend Arsenal fielded a starting XI that featured only two English players.
Kroenke doesn’t care, he isn’t subsidising English football and only cares about making money.

Thats the future of cricket
Click to expand...
What is it that they actually own in say MI London? Just think over it for a bit and come back and tell us.
 
IronShield said:
Find a city that has affinity to a yellow shirt.
Click to expand...
Lol not only that, I grew up in Chennai ,in 2000s the CM announced the first day of India-Aus test match a holiday lol.

The Sachin Warne game is remembered heavily among Chennaites, Aus has huge following there.
 
JaDed said:
Lol not only that, I grew up in Chennai ,in 2000s the CM announced the first day of India-Aus test match a holiday lol.

The Sachin Warne game is remembered heavily among Chennaites, Aus has huge following there.
Click to expand...
Interesting. They are quite fair and open minded crowd. I remember the standing ovation by Chennai crowd in that 1999 nail biting test match that was won by Pakistan.
 
IronShield said:
Interesting. They are quite fair and open minded crowd. I remember the standing ovation by Chennai crowd in that 1999 nail biting test match that was won by Pakistan.
Click to expand...
lol yeah .. hated that one, Wasim Akram’s wife unfortunately passed away in Chennai as well.

The crowd is good we also have a lot of trivias around the city from school, makes everyone into sports look at Ashwin the nerd.
 
IronShield said:
What is it that they actually own in say MI London? Just think over it for a bit and come back and tell us.
Click to expand...
Happy to help and educate fellow forum users.

The franchise owners own 49% of the franchise (the rest is owned by the counties).
The eight franchises will keep 80% of the revenue they generate through their own operations, such as local ticket sales, team-specific sponsorship, and merchandising.

Mukesh Ambani bought my golf course, Stoke Park for £64 million — a bargain as it is 20 miles from London and has 235 acres and a beautiful mansion house.
He applied to convert the back nine (holes 19-27) into a cricket practice facility for the MI Indians (all declared in the planning application — on Buckinghamshire Council Planning site).

Fortunately, by concerted village action (aided by local councillors and the MP)we managed to block this (the convenient says the grounds have to be us3d as a golf course).

Last year, he tried to buy another nearby parkland area (Farnham Park) and again wanted to use this as a cricket academy —but was outbid by the Wycombe Wanders owner (Khazakstani billionaire, close to Putin) who will make it their training academy.

Franchise owners will buy up franchises around the world and schlep their players around.
Money talks and I guess he doesn’t case whether it goes to India as long as it comes to him (and Reliance)
 
IronShield said:
What is it that they actually own in say MI London? Just think over it for a bit and come back and tell us.
Click to expand...
And another example of how Indian franchise owners will exert their hegemony


Pakistan cricketers are not being considered by Indian-owned sides for next month's Hundred auction, sources have told BBC Sport.

Players from Pakistan have not featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 because of diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Four of The Hundred's eight franchises - Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds - are now at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams.

In messages seen by the BBC, a senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) indicated to an agent that interest in his Pakistan players would be limited to sides not linked to the IPL.


www.bbc.com

The Hundred: IPL-linked teams 'not considering Pakistan players'

Four sides in The Hundred with links to the IPL are not expected to sign players from Pakistan in next month's auction.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
Why just India? Why not consider matches in Pakistan and Bangladesh?

Cricket viewership in Pakistan and Bangladesh are number 2 and number 3 in the world and Big Bash will be maximizing eye balls this way.
 
gibsyhesperis said:
And another example of how Indian franchise owners will exert their hegemony


Pakistan cricketers are not being considered by Indian-owned sides for next month's Hundred auction, sources have told BBC Sport.

Players from Pakistan have not featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 because of diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Four of The Hundred's eight franchises - Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds - are now at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams.

In messages seen by the BBC, a senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) indicated to an agent that interest in his Pakistan players would be limited to sides not linked to the IPL.


www.bbc.com

The Hundred: IPL-linked teams 'not considering Pakistan players'

Four sides in The Hundred with links to the IPL are not expected to sign players from Pakistan in next month's auction.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
Click to expand...

Anywhere these bhakts go, they bring in their discriminatory practices.

Why is this discrimination allowed in England? Where are the lawsuits? :inti
 
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