Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson blasts new features designed to spice up BBL|10, calling them gimmicks and science experiments.
With less than a month to go until the start of BBL|10, former T20 franchise regular, Shane Watson, has criticised new features being introduced to the competition for the upcoming season.
Watson Blasts BBL|10 Gimmicks
In an extraordinary outburst on his website, T20 Stars, Watson called the newly introduced Power Surge, X Factor Player and Bash Boost, “gimmicks,” and “Science Experiments”.
Watson also went on to claim that there are people trying to re-invent the wheel, when it’s not broken………
Watto Waste of Time
“And then……….I read today that the BBL is introducing these new gimmicks, such as the ‘Power Surge’, the ‘X Factor Player’ and the ‘Bash Boost’ in a misguided attempt to re-invigorate the tournament. I just can’t seem to get my head around why there are people out there who are trying to re-invent the wheel when the wheel was not broken. It just had hit a little rocky ground, in which some really simple measures that were already put in place, would create a slipstream back to the very top again.
The complexities that these new ‘Science Experiments’ are going to create for the viewers, let alone the players and coaches, when none of these have been tried and tested at lower levels, have really taken the wind out of my sails. I truly hope that my concerns with these new gimmicks prove me totally wrong and that all of the things that have come together over the last 6 months, will be a perfect storm to create the most engaging and exciting BBL in its history.”
I think it’s fair to say Watson clearly isn’t sitting on the fence on this one. His views are fairly clear and forthright.
And after years playing in T20 franchises from all across the world, Watson should know what he’s talking about.
I believe he has earned the right to have his opinion listened to on this topic.
Falling TV Viewing Figures Seem To Be Behind The Move
The last two years has seen Big Bash League viewing figures fall. Watson insists this is the reason behind the changes.
As he points out in his piece though, you don’t need to re-invent the wheel to do this.
He also goes onto say the decision to allow teams to have 3 overseas players is a good one. Adding that the combination of these overseas players and home grown talent, is already a step in the right direction.
Watson also believes getting these world class players performing on world class surfaces is the key. If BBL|10 can do that, there is no need for these gimmicks.
I have to say, I completely agree with Watson.
The Big Bash is the second foremost T20 franchise league in the world. Second only to the IPL, which is perfectly acceptable.
The competition didn’t need major surgery, just a little bit of tinkering around the edges would have done fine.
Like Watson, I hope I’m wrong. But something tells me we’re not!