Published 16:11 IST, January 9th 2020

BBL: Why do Big Bash League captains flip a bat instead of flipping coin during the toss?

Big Bash League first introduced the concept of ‘bat flip’ during the 2018-19 edition of BBL. The move was applied to attract interest during the proceedings.

Reported by: Aakash Saini
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Australian cricket broke away with a 141-year old tradition by introducing a ‘bat flip’ for 2018-19 season of Big Bash League (BBL). Instead of captains yelling “heads” or “tails” during a coin toss, BBL skippers w have to choose between “hills” or “flats”. move was implied by BBL officials in an attempt to attract attention and focus of audience before game even commences.

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Why toss made way for a BBL bat flip?

Talks of completely removing coin toss from cricketing equation have been circling around over past few years. Even England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) discussed same in May 2018. According to m, decision of fielding or batting first is t fair to be determined through a simple toss of a coin. Since hosts already enjoy home advant, re were talks to give visiting team power to take such decisions in order to even up odds a bit. Even though BBL did eliminate coin toss factor, y only replaced it with ar aspect that to an extent gives skippers same chance which y get during a toss.

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According to Cricket Australia’s head of Big Bash League, Kim McConnie, introduction of ‘bat flip’ in BBL games is a reflection of what tournament is all about. She said that flipping a bat to determine which team will bat first has been a part of Australian backstreet cricket for many years. Even though Kim McConnie admitted that people usually are t open to any kind of change, she also emphasised that audiences have stopped taking interest in coin toss proceedings as one really focuses on it anymore.

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introduction of BBL Bat Flips eventually turned out to be a successful one. People have started taking interest in pre-game proceedings between captains. According to Kim McConnie, movement is more relevant to families and much more fitting for young fans.

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A cricket bat is t ideally suited for a 50-50 per cent chance for eir side during a flip. However, bats used in BBL matches are modified in a way to promote an even result. Check out a video of BBL bat flip from one of its most recent matches down below.

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Im Credits: Twitter handle of Big Bash League

16:11 IST, January 9th 2020