Big Bash League to be shortened from 2023-24 season

Men's Big Bash League to be reduced by 17 matches in a tournament from next season, while WBBL to remain a 59-game affair,

Cricket Australia has announced that the upcoming 2023-24 season of the Big Bash League (BBL) Twenty20 cricket competition, will be shortened to a 44-game season.

On Friday, Cricket Australia made an announcement as it advanced modifications to the tournament format that will be put into effect as part of the new television agreement. In an effort to respond to criticism that the Big Bash League schedule is too long, it has once more been condensed.

Cricket Australia first indicated its desire to shorten the competition during last summer’s broadcast negotiations, with changes planned for 2024-25.

Both local broadcasters Foxtel and Seven had been open to bringing the change in sooner, but a number of deals had to be struck with club sponsors and to alter venue arrangements.

Shortened Big Bash League will allow us greater flexibility to ensure we can deliver the best possible fixture: BBL GM

As part of a deal with broadcasters, Cricket Australia said on Friday that the league would be cut from 56 to 40 regular-season games, 10 games per franchise, this season, a year earlier than originally intended.

The playoffs will also be changed, with four teams instead of five teams qualifying, and a four-match finals format that has not yet been decided. Matches are scheduled to start in December, and the tournament schedule is anticipated to be released in July.

The reduction in men’s matches takes the competition back to 2017-18 when the eight-team Big Bash was in its prime.

The season should be played fully over the Christmas break due to the shortened competition schedule. Additionally, it will increase the likelihood that outstanding foreign players will be available for more games and provide Australia's white-ball stars a better opportunity of playing in every game.

“A shortened Big Bash League 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.

Whilst no changes have been made to the WBBL schedule, it’s vital that we make sure the tournament continues to be at the forefront of T20 Leagues as the global women’s game continues to evolve at a rapid rate," BBL general manager Alistair Dobson said.

The Women’s Big Bash will remain unchanged from its 59-game season.