The Big Bash League: Where To From Here?

Australia's new Big Bash League has been a huge success on and off the field.

Big crowds have turned up to grounds all over the West Island and the media has been all over the fast and competitive cricket on offer.

After a few quiet seasons, it appears interest in cricket among the Aussies is back. However, the true measure of the revamped Twenty20 competition will be in the ensuing seasons.

Huge crowd for Melbourne derby (Stars v Renegades)

Have a look at the IPL - a cracker first season in 2008 but interest has kinda tailed off now. Having said that there were more teams in the IPL in 2011 than there were at inception - there will be one less in 2012 as Kochi has lost its franchise (due to financial irregularities though).


Expansion to new markets has helped and it could be the key to ensuring the Big Bash League is fresh. At the same time though, the finances and player depth need to be there - Australian cricket appears to have both though.

So where to for the Big Bash League?

Here are my 6 possible expansion teams for a future 14-team Big Bash League:

1.Canberra Capitals
Ground: Manuka Oval, Canberra
Colours: Yellow

It's a travesty that Australia's capital doesn't have far more top class cricket than it does at the moment - Prime Minister's XI and the odd first class game for New South Wales. Canberra and the surrounding ACT is a big market waiting to be tapped by Australian cricket and giving them a Twenty20 franchise would be the way to start for this already sports-strong region looking to fill the summer when the Raiders and Brumbies aren't playing.

2.Gold Coast Blazers
Ground: Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
Colours: Orange

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's fastest growing areas and is always a hub of activity especially in the summer. While Gold Coast United have been an abject failure, the Gold Coast's other sports teams have had some success and cricket is more likely to appeal to the Gold Coast than soccer. There's also a new purpose-built oval stadium in the Gold Coast ready for a Big Bash team.

3.Newcastle Pirates
Ground: Unknown
Colours: Black/white

Newcastle is New South Wales' second largest metropolitan area and like Canberra and the Gold Coast boasts plenty of sports teams. The only problem at the moment is the lack of a proper cricket ground - and with no AFL franchise in Newcastle, it is unlikely they will build a purpose-built 10,000 seater stadium just for cricket. Ausgrid Stadium is very much a football stadium and would be difficult to modify. The Hunter Valley's chances of hosting a Big Bash league are slim to say the least.

4.Auckland Arrows
Ground: Eden Park, Auckland
Colours: Blue/white 

Why not have a few New Zealand franchises? Australian competitions have long had New Zealand entries in them, i.e. Warriors, Breakers, Phoenix, and there's a big Twenty20 market waiting to be tapped in New Zealand especially in its largest city. Furthermore, with Eden Park, the Auckland franchise already has a venue built to cater to the large crowds that will come watch games. It could feature a few of the current and fringe Blackcaps too.

5.Canterbury Heat
Ground: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Colours: Red/black

And while we're at it, why not have not just one but three NZ franchises? Canterbury and Christchurch is the home of New Zealand cricket and often has the most consistent and warmest weather in the summer. Yes, priorities in the region lie elsewhere at the moment but a Big Bash franchise could lift the city's profile and let people know that despite the quakes that have destroyed the city, the city is still alive and running. Plus I drove past AMI Stadium just after Christmas last year and the place seems fine - no barricades and no signs to stop people from going in unlike the CBD even though it's thought to be on the verge of tipping over.

6.Wellington Breeze

Ground: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Colours: Yellow/black

The Wellington Big Bash franchise could feature the best of the Wellington and Central Districts players along with some international players. It could also revitalize cricket in the region where its teams have underperformed in recent times. And Westpac Stadium has always been a great arena for cricket too.

Another option to consider for the Big Bash League would be to start the season in November so that the Australian national team players can feature more often in the series and it'll also mean less of a clash with New Zealand's own HRV Cup. There's also a big gap of sport waiting to be filled after all the football codes conclude in October in Australia/New Zealand.

If the Big Bash League can lift its profile up to the level of the IPL and be able to attract the best players in the world, the ICC will fit less games during the Big Bash season and this will enable the competition to get the best cricketers in the world.

And another thing? Can someone please have a look into the tops - they're some of the ugliest and worst I've seen for a professional sports outfit.

Anyway while I'm free & bored on this lazy Friday afternoon..


Potential Auckland Arrows 18-man squad: 
Martin Guptill, BJ Watling, Lou Vincent, Daniel Flynn, Andre Adams, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins, Peter McGlashan, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Colin de Grundhomme, Daniel Vettori, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Kieron Pollard*, Kyle Mills, Dwayne Bravo*

Potential Wellington Breeze squad:
Mathew Sinclair, Jamie How, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Doug Bracewell, Harry Boam, Luke Woodcock, Kruger van Wyk,  Michael Mason, Brendan Taylor*, James Franklin, Andy McKay, Jeetan Patel, Leighton Burt, Steven Davies*

Potential Canterbury Heat squad:
Peter Fulton, Shanan Stewart, Brendon Diamanti, Dean Brownlie, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Neil Wagner, Reece Young, Rob Nicol, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Andy Ellis, Neil Broom, Derek de Boorder, Yasir Arafat*, Johan van der Wath*, Jonathan Trott*, Craig Cumming