SYDNEY: The Men’s KFC Big Bash League (BBL) 2019 in Australia is all set to lead innovation in cricket yet again by doing away with the traditional pre-match coin toss for its eighth edition starting 19 December. Instead, the toss will be held in the form of ‘bat flips’ with the away team’s captain having to choose between their preferred side of the bat which is either ‘roofs’ and ‘flats’ as it is being tossed and it must complete at least one full rotation.
This replaces the typical heads or tails style of calling. The BBL has associated with one of the world’s leading cricket gear manufacturers, Kookaburra to implement the same.
“For me it’s a great moment which reflects what BBL is about,” BBL chief Kim McConnie said.
“Some people don’t like change but I’d also challenge people to say when was the last time anyone watched the coin toss or really focused on it to a great extent?
“Now we are making it much more relevant to families, we are creating a moment which is much more fitting with kids.”
McConnie waved away concerns over the fairness of the bat-flipping process.
“I’ve got it from great authority at our (bat-maker) Kookaburra friends that this is a tested and weighted bat to deliver that equity,” she said.
Kookaburra head of communications Shannon Gill said: “The BBL charged our bat-maker, Lachlan Dinger, with the job of coming up with a bat that was of symmetrical weight.
“While Lachie is used to making custom bats with all sorts of requests for Usman Khawaja, Tim Paine and Alyssa Healy, this was quite a leftfield challenge!”
“Lachie has done the job though, and Kookaburra is excited to be part of a concept that will stir childhood memories of cricket in the backyard, schoolyard or on the beach.”
Backyard cricketers have become accustomed to flipping a bat to decide who will bat or bowl first, which could be inspiration behind the BBL’s move.
The relevance of the coin toss has been debated for a long time now amongst international cricket pundits and administrators. First-class cricket in England has taken the middle route by not having the toss in case of the away team opting to bowl first. However, the toss would still take place if they wish to bat first. The concerns have risen due to home teams having it much easier to win especially in Test match cricket since the last five years.
