The playoffs will also be altered, with four teams qualifying instead of five, and a four-match finals format yet to be determined. The tournament schedule is expected to be released in July, with matches beginning in December. The reduction in men’s matches returns the competition to 2017-18 when the eight-team Big Bash League was at its peak.
The season should be completed entirely during the Christmas school holidays because of the shorter competition timeframe. It will also ensure that marquee overseas players are available for a higher percentage of matches, as well as giving Australia’s white-ball stars a better chance of playing all matches.
Cricket Australia first expressed a desire to shorten the competition during broadcast negotiations last summer, with changes planned for 2024-25. Both local broadcasters Foxtel and Seven were willing to make the change sooner, but a number of agreements with club sponsors and changes to venue arrangements were required.
“A shortened BBL will allow us greater flexibility to ensure we can deliver the best possible fixture for clubs and fans while providing a platform that allows players to continue to produce the world-class levels of cricket we’ve seen over the duration of the tournament,” CA’s general manager of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson said.
