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Brad Hogg, former cult hero of Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades has called for a return of Big Bash League cricket for Christmas Eve and even believes a Christmas clash should have been scheduled this year.
Although Cricket Australia has long considered introducing a BBL game on Christmas Day, the governing body this year not only delayed that move, but also removed its Christmas Eve match, which it hosted in BBL08. and BBL09.
The Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers faced off at the Gabba last night, and the BBL are now on hiatus until competition resumes with a double header on Boxing Day.
This left Hogg perplexed.
“I think you have to have a game on Christmas Eve. It’s entertainment on top of that and it’s entertainment for cricket fans before Christmas. So I think that’s one thing they should have kept. “Hogg told Wide World of Sports.
“They talk about having a game on Christmas Day and then they take the game on Christmas Eve and they don’t either. That does not make sense.
“A match on Christmas Eve is thrilling. Why is the product there? It is there to attract new families to the game of cricket. It was the original concept of Big Bash. When is the best time for that? Well there is going to be a lot of eyes on TV on Christmas Eve, with families at home watching Christmas carols, so this is the best opportunity to get people to watch the game. “
When asked for his thoughts on the BBL played on Christmas Day, a subject that has long polarized the cricket world, the two-time ODI World Cup winner said 2020 presented an ideal chance to try it out .
“It’s probably the best case scenario to try it out because you’re in a bubble situation and everyone is in the hubs,” Hogg said.
“You could have had a game tonight on Christmas Eve, a game on Christmas Day, and then if you want to take a break you have it on Boxing Day so everyone can have a great day out. Cricket Test Another option is to have a match at the end of Boxing Day.
“You then have three games of Big Bash cricket in a time when people are on hiatus and relaxing at home. You add that to the restrictions in place around the world and in eastern Australia – and that’s is the perfect time to try out a game on Christmas Day. “
A News Corp report in September 2018 claimed the players had made a deal with Cricket Australia to play on Christmas Day.
This was on the basis that some players could choose not to play for religious reasons or family commitments, while families would also be airlifted, accommodated and treated to a function.
The T20 competition has gone from 56 games in the BBL08 season to 61 games in the BBL09 and BBL10 tournaments.
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