I am neither Australian nor T20 cricket aficionado. Yet people tell me - either to my face or through the media - that the Big Bash League is how this format should be played and marketed. I have seen nothing of it on TV but at six weeks long, it seems just as interminable as the IPL circus. I've no real idea of who the teams are: eight city franchises instead of the traditional states, but at least I'm familiar with a few of the players.
The concept is aimed at the same people the English original tournament was: young, non-traditional cricket fans, girls as much as boys. However, if that means playing music after every single delivery, that is surely taking it too far. If you want to dance, binge drink and pull a Sheila (or Bruce), go to a night club! Mind you , the language and behaviour is probably superior down at the disco than on the playing field when the likes of Flintoff, Warner and Watson are indulging in some 'banter' or 'passion'.
Nevertheless, the grounds are apparently full, the refreshment stalls doing roaring business and, almost as important, those who can't get to see the live action can watch TV coverage without paying a subscription. In England, hiding the product behind a hefty paywall means that broadcast audiences will never get to a million. I doubt whether many who go to a game to drink will be motivated to take up the sport, whereas boys at home are perhaps more likely to be inspired by the entertaining striking, bowling and athletic fielding. Concluding with such a cliffhanger finale doesn't hurt, either!
So who were the stars on the field in BBL 2014/5? Perth Scorchers retained the title thanks to a last-ball scramble involving some very experienced limited-overs cricketers, Yasir Arafat batting, Moses Henriques misfielding at the stumps and Brett Lee the helpless bowler at the other end, denied the opportunity of another trophy on his last-ever performance.
The victors inevitably boasted the competition's top scorer in Michael Klinger and three of the four highest wicket-takers in Arafat, Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye, a veteran of just one first-class match! England rejects Michael Carberry, Michael Lumb and a certain Kevin Pietersen enjoyed good tournaments, and Ben Stokes pulled off a few decent cameos with the bat after being overlooked (rightly) for the World Cup squad. KP did at least have some runs under his belt when he came out with his arrogant ridiculous outburst against 99% of his fellow cricketers. If they are mere muppets, how come he was so bad last summer that even Miss Piggy could have outscored him? If one good thing has come from this latest whinge it is that no county would ever again want to sign such a egotistical sod.
And then there is Brad Hogg. Just shy of his 43rd birthday, his economy rate of 5.33 for Perth shine brightly as ever. He may not be a sprightly young pup in the mould of the target audience but the BBL did at least demonstrate that a class player will thrive in any form of cricket, despite the bloody racket blaring from the loudspeakers between every ball.
I don't want to see a British Big Bash League but if the ECB can sacrifice a few quid to allow a free-to-air broadcaster access to T20, then it can only benefit the competition and maybe even domestic cricket itself.
