BBL Set To Introduce ‘Designated Batter-Fielder’ Rule to Retain Big Stars Longer

BBL officials said a new designated batter and fielder rule was expected to help retain senior stars and attract elite players by easing physical demands.

BBL officials expressed hope that the introduction of a new “designated batter and fielder” rule from next season will help cricket’s biggest names and most explosive batters stay in the league for longer. The rule, inspired by baseball and discussed internally for several summers, will allow teams to select players who can bat without being required to field.

The move is expected to benefit senior players whose bodies may no longer cope with the full physical demands of T20 cricket. Experienced batters such as Adelaide Strikers’ record run-scorer Chris Lynn and Perth Scorchers star Mitchell Marsh could extend their BBL careers if they are not required to spend long hours in the field.

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The rule could also encourage high-profile Test players to feature more regularly in the league. Australia opener Travis Head, who played a key role in Australia’s dominant Ashes win, will miss the BBL this season, but the new provision may tempt such players to return in future editions.

Ricky Ponting Backs Proposal

Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting backed the proposal, saying it could help keep star batters involved while also providing fielding opportunities for younger players.

“Some of these guys might be at a stage of their career where they feel that they can’t make much of an impact [in the field],” Ponting said on Seven. “They also might be worried about picking up an injury while they’re in the field, which is another big part of it.

“And what this tournament doesn’t want is to have these guys not playing, especially at this stage of the tournament when the big games are coming around. We all want to be seeing the best players playing, so if this rule helps that and keeps the longevity up, then that’s great.”

Under the proposed rule, designated batters and fielders will not be allowed to bowl, although a designated fielder will be permitted to act as the wicketkeeper. Teams that choose not to use the rule will continue to name a standard playing XI.

Melbourne Stars allrounder Glenn Maxwell welcomed the innovation but said it would be interesting to see how teams adapt to it. “It adds something to the tournament,” Maxwell said on Seven. “It will be interesting to see how it plays out though next year.”