Every match a blockbuster in KFC BBL|14 schedule
source: Cricket Australia – CA Multicultural Media (eLanka)
Every match is a blockbuster in KFC BBL|14, with the announcement today of an action-packed, family-friendly schedule for the upcoming season.
The League’s second season of an enhanced 44-game structure will deliver:
• An uninterrupted schedule of Big Bash every night, including six huge TV double headers
• Marquee matches in every club’s home market
• Full season including Finals completed within school holidays
• Larger window for potential Australian Men’s Test Team player participation in January
• More ways to watch across The Seven Network, 7plus, FOX SPORTS and Kayo Sports
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The KFC BBL|14 season will begin on Sunday, December 15 at Optus Stadium, when the Perth Scorchers host Melbourne Stars. Play will begin following Day 2 of the NRMA Insurance Brisbane Test.
That will be the first of 14 BBL matches to directly follow a day of the NRMA Insurance Men’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series between season-start and January 7. The League anticipates the return of some Australian Test players to the competition following that series, subject to availability.
Every club will host a home match inside the competition’s first eight days, highlighted by Sydney Thunder welcoming rivals Sydney Sixers to ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, December 21 for the Sydney Smash.
Sydney and Perth also become the focal point for the Boxing Day BBL double header, with the Sixers and Stars facing off at the SCG before the Scorchers and Brisbane Heat go head-to-head at Optus Stadium.
New Year’s Eve brings a feast of Big Bash action. The highs of 2024 will be celebrated again at the Adelaide Oval, with Adelaide Strikers welcoming the Scorchers for the annual blockbuster.
Fans in Hobart and Brisbane will then start 2025 in style with a New Year’s Day double header – first, Hobart Hurricanes welcome the Sixers at Blundstone Arena, before the Heat takes on the Stars in their annual New Year’s Bash at the Gabba.
Melbourne Renegades and Stars will also face off in their hotly anticipated Derbies on Saturday, January 4 (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and Sunday, January 12 (Marvel Stadium) in a mouthwatering start to the new year.
Four clubs will each host one match outside their traditional venues – the Renegades will again begin their season at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, the Sixers will return to C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, while both the Stars and Thunder will host a match at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
Each club plays their tenth regular season match in the final three days of the campaign. The Sixers’ return Smash against the Thunder will be on Friday, January 17 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, before the Stars and Hurricanes have the final say on the top four on Sunday, January 19.
The 40 regular season matches will run uninterrupted from December 15 to January 19, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This regularity of Big Bash cricket every night, including six huge double headers, will give fans the best opportunity to watch and attend.
The KFC BBL|14 Finals series will feature four matches from Tuesday, January 21, culminating in the Final on Monday, January 27, a national public holiday and within school holidays. Venues will be determined by regular season finishing positions and finals series results.
KFC BBL|14 will be more accessible than ever before under Cricket Australia’s new Media Rights Agreement with Foxtel Group and Seven West Media.
Every BBL|14 match will once again be aired on FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo Sports, including three massive Super Saturday double headers exclusive to FOX CRICKET.
Thirty regular season matches and the four Finals will be shown live on The Seven Network and, for the first time, the 7plus digital platform.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said:
“The League is delighted to deliver fans a schedule of 44 blockbuster matches for KFC BBL|14.
“This is a brilliant schedule for fans, with uninterrupted action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love. We also can’t wait to welcome back members of the Australian Test team once again in January, taking advantage of a bigger window following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series.
“The shift to an optimised competition length last season, together with the recruitment of world class players, led to incredible crowds and experiences off the field and cricket on it. We can’t wait to see that grow in BBL|14.
“Such a platform for the season is not possible without the support of our Clubs, the Australian Cricketers’ Association, broadcasters The Seven Network, FOX SPORTS and SEN, League partners KFC, Toyota and BKT, venues and state and territory governments. We thank them all for their support of the BBL.”
Chris Jones, Seven’s Director of Network Sport, said:
“The Big Bash is well and truly back! Our 7SPORT team can’t wait to bring the energy and excitement live from venues direct to our viewers. To have 34 games and every final on free-to-air TV is huge, and now for the first time Seven’s entire Summer of Cricket will be available to stream live on 7plus at home and on the go.
“We’ll have 14 blockbuster Big Bash games coming straight off a day of Test cricket, so viewers can enjoy watching cricket live and free for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. This year’s Big Bash coverage will feature not only superstar international players and Australian Test stars, but a world class commentary team and high-quality production for viewers across the screens of Seven and 7plus.”
Matt Weiss, Fox Cricket’s General Manager, said:
“The BBL epitomises summer.
“Once again, Foxtel and Kayo Sports are the only place for you and the family to catch every game, ad break free during play.
“We’re committed to delivering the full Fox Cricket experience, featuring the best commentary and coverage. This season, we’re thrilled to welcome David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Indian legends Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle to our line-up. Along with that, our exclusive matches will continue to innovate with stunning 4K UHD visuals and a few surprises along the way.
“What a ripper of a season it’s going to be!”
ENDS
