BBL season opener in India gathers momentum as CA seeks interest

Cricket Australia’s proposal of playing the Big Bash season opener in India this year is gathering pace according to SEN’s Tom Morris with franchises being sounded out for their interest.

It was initially broken by Morris in February that the governing body was investigating the possibility of playing the match in Chennai with the view of trying to expand the reach of the competition into cricket’s biggest audience.

Whilst they continue to explore the viability of the overseas match and speak with relevant stakeholders, Cricket Australia has begun gauging interest amongst the eight teams.

“In the last few days, Cricket Australia has sent a memo to all eight franchises asking for expressions of interest to play this game in Chennai,” Morris told SEN’s Sportsday.

“So, they're exploring playing the game in Chennai while gaining necessary approval from the BCCI.

“It would be the first game of the season, it would be about December 12 (or) around that.

“And what they've asked clubs is, commercially, how are you helping?

"How would you help drive revenue? What are your connections to India and Chennai? And how do you contribute towards the cost?

“Although I think the cost in the end will be largely funded by Cricket Australia.

“So, if you're the away team, you would end up paying what you would otherwise pay to go and play elsewhere in Australia.

“It's a big, big task. But it seems like it's gaining some momentum now.”

With teams now putting their case forward for their interest, Morris believes that there is already an early favourite for which one of the teams playing in Chennai will be.

“I think the (Melbourne) Stars are not initially interested,” he noted.

“The Scorchers (are) interested, absolutely, given the time zone.

“I think the (Sydney) Sixers probably don't need it.

“The Stars want to win a title, and I think this is probably a disadvantage for that, because you’ve got to fly back and forth.

“The other six teams (are) all in, I reckon.

“The Scorchers, I reckon are a red-hot favourite and then it's just about who they play.”