Big Bash League 2025-26 to bring in some new rules for next season

The Big Bash League (BBL) will be currently down to the last two games where the Hobart Hurricanes will be playing the finals after beating the Sydney Sixers in qualifier one. The challenger will now be a Sydney derby where the Sixers and the Thunder will go head-to-head today at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which will be battle for a spot in the finals as well. 

This has been another successful season, with some amazing matches and performances. However, there are new rules the BBL is putting together that might go on to be followed in the next season which is being discussed a lot by Cricket Australia (CA). These rules seem to have taken inspiration from the Hundred Mens tournament in England and baseball. 

The rules being discussed are:

‘DH’ A designated hitter: Each team could nominate one player in their XI who just bats and doesn’t have to field. 

Bowling back-to-back overs from the same end and optional 12-ball overs: Captains could also choose to let one bowler send down 12 balls in a row over two consecutive overs. 

Double plays: A double-play run-out, where the bails are taken at both ends of the pitch with two batsmen out of their crease. 

A variation on maidens: a batsman could be given out if a bowler can bowl six consecutive dot balls at them Or, in a slight variation a bowler could be given a fifth over if they can send down a maiden. 

These rules are being discussed in attempts to make the game quicker and are reducing the workload of some players as well. There are also reports suggesting that these rules are being discussed within closed doors which could change the entire game of cricket and make it a fast

The rules have been discussed with Cricket Australia’s high-performance consultant for the WBBL and BBL Trent Woodhill who discussed some of the rules which include the designated hitter rule where a super sub fielder will come in their place and brought up the contribution of Jordan Silk of Sydney Sixers who is one of the top fielders in the league. 

“We went through this with The Hundred, the penny drops when people realise what T20 cricket really is. Fielding isn’t running between overs or running into position at high speed. It’s all the other stuff that Silky does that makes him so bloody good,” Woodhill said as quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.