Cricket Australia advises that shortened BBL season attracts larger crowds

The decision to cut 16 matches from the 2023/24 Big Bash League schedule has paid off for Cricket Australia, with crowds at the halfway point of the tournament up 29% on last season

Crowds across the first 20 games of this summer's BBL have averaged 17,473, compared with 13,530 in 2022/23, boosted by the 42,504 who attended the New Year's Eve match in Adelaide, which marked the biggest crowd for the competition in four years.

Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder have also recorded their highest regular-season crowds.

The crowd numbers come after Cricket Australia made the call to reduce the regular season from 56 games to 40 this season, as part of rejuvenating the tournament.

BBL General Manager, Alistair Dobson told AAP “creating some scarcity was always part of the thinking, and making it feel like every game is a must-see event.

"But that doesn't work if you're not putting on great events and promoting them.

"Some structural adjustments with the number of games, scheduling decisions and salary cap has it all feeling like it's on the right track."

The BBL could receive a further boost in the coming days, with Test players likely to be available for up to four fixtures this week.

Bowlers are unlikely to feature, but the prospect of David Warner and Steve Smith facing off in the Sydney Smash at the SCG on 12th January is possible.

A large crowd would also be anticipated for the Melbourne derby at Marvel Stadium the following night, which will double as Aaron Finch's farewell match.

Meanwhile, a similar decision on season length still awaits officials for next summer's Weber WBBL, which remained at 14 games per side this season.

A case has been made for the competition to shift to a 40-game season in line with the men's, which would see a reduction of some mid-week afternoon fixtures.

The biggest challenge for Cricket Australia would be how to replace those games, with calls for the introduction of domestic red-ball cricket.

Dobson said the increase in men's crowds would not be the sole factor in deciding whether to shorten the women's competition, adding “you can always learn one from the other in the WBBL.

"But when it comes to crucial things (such) as the structure of the competition, ultimately they are unique both in their shape, nature and role they are playing in international cricket."

Images: The Perth Scorchers in BBL action at Perth's Optus Stadium. Credit: David Etherton/VenuesWest.