The Big Bash League (BBL) is witnessing an unprecedented era of power-hitting, but there's a growing consensus that it needs an injection of star power to truly thrive.
A recent survey revealed that Gen Z has some unconventional career aspirations, with jobs in the armed forces and fast-food chains ranking low on their wish lists. However, the survey overlooked a unique career path: becoming a bowler in the BBL.
Bowling in Twenty20 cricket, especially fast bowling, has always been a challenging role. But the treatment bowlers receive in the BBL today is far harsher than in its early years. The average number of sixes hit per game has skyrocketed to 13, a stark contrast to the initial six sixes per game in the league's first season.
With just a few games left in the 2025-26 season, the BBL is on track to break its own record for the most sixes in a season, currently set at 588. Finn Allen, the muscular Kiwi opener for the Scorchers, has already smashed 33 sixes this season, closely followed by Mitch Owen's record. Allen is one of nine players to hit a BBL century this season, a significant increase from the previous record of six.
The power-hitting trend is so prominent that batsmen in several BBL teams now resemble bulked-up baseball players. Next season, it's expected to become even more pronounced with the introduction of a "designated batter" rule, allowing teams to field a player who doesn't need to run or field.
The crowds have been treated to an abundance of sixes this season, with the Scorchers-Heat game at the Gabba in December producing an incredible 36 sixes. The Scorchers scored an impressive 257, the second-highest total in BBL history, and the Heat chased it down with eight wickets in hand.
One of the most captivating performances came from Steve Smith, the ageless Test star, who made a 42-ball 100 at the SCG last week. Smith's knock included a record-breaking 32 runs off Ryan Hadley and a massive six onto the roof of the Brewongle Stand, arguably the biggest ever seen at the SCG.
Smith also holds the BBL record for the most centuries, with four, despite barely participating in the league. All of his centuries have come in the last four seasons during brief returns to the Sixers. In his 11 innings since 2023 (of 39 in total), Smith has scored four centuries and three fifties, yet he was surprisingly left out of the T20 World Cup squad.
The selection snub has left many fans and experts scratching their heads, but it's a different story for BBL bosses and media partners. Smith's feats helped the Sixers-Thunder game attract over two million viewers on Channel Seven, and pay-TV numbers likely saw a similar boost. Since Smith started making his January cameos, there's been a noticeable spike in ratings.
Cricket Australia's decision to allow Aussie players to return to the BBL post-Ashes has been a success, with most Test players not in the Aussie T20 squad shining. However, the rock star of the league, Travis Head, was rested to prepare for the World Cup.
The buzz surrounding Smith, David Warner, Babar Azam, and Mitch Starc's performances at the sold-out SCG on Friday highlighted the need for star power in the BBL. Cricket Australia and BBL bosses are now looking to bring in private equity to boost the league's finances and attract more international stars.
Plans are underway to sell stakes in franchises to investors, particularly wealthy individuals from the Indian Premier League. The hundreds of millions raised will be used to strengthen Aussie cricket's finances and increase the BBL's salary cap.
Even without these changes, the BBL is already one of the highest-quality T20 leagues in the world, rivaling the abundance of podcasts. Cricket Australia has set its sights on becoming the second-best league behind the IPL, and attracting stars to play for most of the season is key to the BBL's growth.
"I'd love the opportunity to play more, and have the international players play a lot more," Smith said. "That's what most teams around the world in their T20 tournaments have. It's tricky with scheduling, but if they were able to have the international players play as much Big Bash as possible, I think it only benefits the tournament."
Overcoming scheduling hurdles and reshaping the Australian summer to accommodate both Test cricket and a more exciting BBL may be challenging, but the masses are demanding it. They want to see Smith and Head clearing the rope in both Test whites and T20 colors.
Sorry, bowlers, the tide is turning towards the power-hitters and the stars.
