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August 12, 2024
To tap into the expanding Indian audience, the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) focus on incorporating more Indian talent into their tournaments. This strategy aims to enhance the leagues’ appeal in one of cricket’s largest and most passionate markets. By featuring more players from India, both leagues hope to attract a more extensive viewer base and increase engagement among Indian fans.
Alistair Dobson, General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, recently highlighted a notable surge in viewership from India, attributing this growth to a new media rights deal. This agreement has significantly expanded the leagues’ visibility in the subcontinent, making the BBL and WBBL more accessible to Indian audiences. The increased exposure is expected to further boost interest and viewership, aligning with the leagues’ efforts to capture a broader international fan base.
“We had a significant increase in our audiences globally this year, particularly in India off the back of our new media rights deal, in India, which has shown significant growth in the viewership,” Dobson said.
The growing interest from Indian fans has made India a crucial market for both the BBL and WBBL. Last season, including renowned Indian cricket commentators like Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle, was a strategic effort to further connect with and engage Indian audiences.
“It was amazing to have those guys commentating the BBL. They bring such expertise and interest to our game and they, from all reports, they really loved what they saw. And we’re hoping to see a few global commentators out here again this summer and obviously with a big international summer ahead,” Dobson mentioned.
Dobson also discussed the potential for bringing more Indian players into the leagues.
“We’re very fortunate in the WBBL that Indian players of, you know, whether that’s Harmanpreet Kaur for the (Melbourne) Renegades or others that have been in our competition and had such skill and capability and leadership.”
“So we’re always working closely with other boards around the world about how we can grow our competition and make it as accessible as possible and that won’t stop,” Dobson said.
August 15, 2024
Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has been appointed as the new head coach of the Adelaide Strikers for the next two years, the Big Bash League team announced.
Jason Gillespie, who left the position in March after four seasons, is succeeded by Paine.Paine’s first official role as Strikers’ coach will be attending the BBL 14 Player Draft on September 1 alongside captain Matt Short.
At 39, Paine transitioned to coaching after retiring from playing in 2022. Last summer, he served as an assistant coach under Gillespie. His coaching career follows a notable playing stint, including his final BBL game with the Hobart Hurricanes less than two years ago.
In addition to his role with the Strikers, Paine has worked as a coach and mentor with Australia’s Under-19 program. In Darwin’s Top End T20 Series, he assisted coach NT Strike. Paine participated in 35 Test matches (23 as captain), 35 One Day matches, and 12 Twenty20 matches throughout his 17-year international career. He scored more than 5,600 runs in limited-overs cricket and almost 6,500 runs in first-class cricket, including three hundreds.
“I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to coach such a well-established and strongly supported club, and I can’t wait for the start of BBL 14 in December,” Paine said in a statement released by club.
“After spending time in Adelaide last year, I believe the Strikers team and the whole of South Australian cricket has huge potential, and I’m looking forward to being part of taking it forward and winning a few trophies. I believe we have an immensely talented and versatile squad, which we will finalise over the next few weeks,” he added.
Paine’s appointment follows the South Australia Cricket Association (SACA) decision to separate the roles of head coach for the South Australia men’s team and the Adelaide Strikers BBL team, positions previously held by Gillespie.
Ryan Harris, a former Test fast bowler, has recently been named the coach of South Australia’s men’s team.
Since winning the BBL title under Gillespie in BBL 07, the Strikers have consistently made the playoffs but have yet to secure another championship. Despite a slow start to BBL 13 last season, the Strikers regained their form to win five consecutive matches before being eliminated in the Challenger final by the eventual champions, Brisbane Heat.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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