BBL13: A nervous bat twitches during the “Bat Flip” before Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat play.

The 13th Big Bash League BBL offered a bold new innovation that rocked cricket conventions: instead of using coins to select who bats or bowls first, bats were tossed. During this unusual change, captains called “hills,” “roofs,” and “flats” during the bat flip, with the captain of the opposing side making the final decision.

To confirm the choice, the bat must land and complete a full spin. That is the only rule. But in the sixth game of the BBL 2023–24 between the Sydney Thunders and Brisbane Heat, an unusual incident happened: the bat stood on its edge, necessitating a re-toss. People were immediately drawn to this backyard cricket-like spectacle.

The strange thing that happened during the game is as follows:

If at first you don’t succeed… 😅 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/ofryum3gY4

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 12, 2023

Relying on a bat flip instead of the conventional coin toss, according to several detractors, may be less fair and dependable. Head of Communications for Kookaburra, Shannon Gill, defended the move, emphasizing the company’s efforts to make sure bats are made fairly by ensuring balanced weight.

The BBL gave our bat builder, Lachan Dinger, the task of creating a bat with proportional weight. However, Gill was quoted on the International Cricket Council (ICC) website as saying, “Kookaburra is excited to be part of a concept that will stir childhood memories of cricket in the backyard, schoolyard, or on the beach. Lachie has done the job.”

Cricket enthusiasts fear the game is losing its essence

The BBL13 encountered some criticism from people worried that the game was straying from its traditional roots amid the vibrant bats whirling in the air.

Stakeholders defended the decision, pointing out that the league wants to draw in younger viewers and capture their interest from the beginning of every game. In an attempt to appeal to a younger audience, this innovation spurred discussions on the purity of cricket.

“I think this is a wonderful moment that captures what BBL is all about. While I understand that some people dislike change, I would also like to know when the last time someone observed the coin toss was or gave it a lot of thought. As we create a moment that is much more fitting for kids, we are now making it much more relevant to families,” Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League CEO, Kim Mc Connie, told the ABC.