The Big Bash League teams can now he allowed up to three overseas players in the playing XI – one more than the present practice.
Australian Cricket Association, which for long has been obstructing the move, has reportedly arrived at an agreement with Cricket Australia. ACA had been batting for better opportunities for the domestic talent.
The development will expectedly lead to a solution to the prevailing dispute between Cricket Australia and its broadcast partner Channel Seven. The latter had been concerned about the quality of the BBL competition.
The BBL amounts for almost 60% of the CA’s A$ 450 million media rights deal.
The broadcaster had threatened to terminate the deal over the BBL season clash with the India’s tour of Australia. Since, all the top Australian stars would be on the national duty for the home series against India, the BBL would have been deprived of the quality content.
CA and the broadcasters have been eager to allow for another overseas playing spot, but the ACA’s opposition has remained until recently, when the change was again suggested amid negotiations for a range of provisional alterations to the MoU.
However, following the understanding between the CA and the ACA the BBL teams will now be able to make up for the missing Australia players by the top overseas talent, states a report by ESPNcricinfo.
Three overseas players would open the BBL window for 20 more imports during the season.
CA is reportedly also trying to convince the Board of Control for Cricket in India to allow the Indian talent for the BBL. As of now the BCCI has only allowed the select retired Indian cricketers to participate in the overseas professional leagues.