BBL says Chennai will get full Big Bash match-day experience
Phil Rigby, head of league operations and club growth at the Big Bash League, told reporters in Chennai on Thursday that the BBL will deliver an authentic Big Bash experience at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium ahead of the tournament’s season opener in December.
Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, widely associated with IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, will host the season-opening fixture of the 16th Big Bash League on December 12, less than three months from now. The opening match, staged as part of the ‘G’day Namaste’ week-long celebration of India-Australia bilateral ties, was announced earlier this year by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese in Melbourne.
At a media event Rigby said: “We want to bring our authentic Big Bash experience that our fans enjoy at the MCG or SCG or anywhere else.” He added: “There are certain rules in a Big Bash game that differ from the IPL. For example, no one has ever seen the Power Surge in India before. We are bringing a brand new rule this year: our designated hitter/designated fielder rule.” Rigby spoke alongside Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges and players Jhye Richardson and Brendan Doggett.
Rigby also outlined plans to incorporate local elements into match-day presentations, saying: “If you have watched on television, all those good things like the bucket heads, all the colour, and all the different moments in a game, we will be bringing those. Another part is how we can find those Chennai flavours and bring them into the game day, almost paying homage to the community.”
Brendan Doggett, who made his international debut last year against England in the Ashes, said he was eager to play in front of Chennai crowds: “We see it on TV with the IPL, so hopefully we can get a similar atmosphere and put on a good performance. Walking through the changing rooms here, you see the history this ground has; it feels really special.”
Jhye Richardson said he would draw on his IPL experience to prepare teammates for the conditions: “The stadiums are always packed out and super loud, so hopefully we can recreate something with that here. I think [with] my experience in the IPL, it is about telling the young guys who come here to research defensive strategies and make sure they understand their plan for death bowling here. It’s usually quite difficult for the bowlers”.
Melbourne Renegades captain Will Sutherland and Perth Scorchers skipper Aston Turner posed with the BBL trophy during the delegation’s visit to Chennai.
The season opener on December 12 will feature Perth Scorchers against Melbourne Renegades at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium as part of the G’day Namaste events announced earlier this year.
