Big Bash For Beginners: A Starter Guide If You Don't Know Your Silly Mid-On From Your Stumps
From bucketheads and fireworks to seagulls and personalities, here’s the lowdown on Big Bash cricket.
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Is cricket confusing you? Don't know your LBWs from your BBLs (Big Bash League)? Don't fret. We're here to tell you that the fun of cricket, especially the BBL, is more about the community, the spectacle, the seagulls, the superstars, and, of course, the KFC. Confused? Read on.
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What Is It?
Unlike traditional cricket, which you've probably seen on pub TVs and in the background at grandad's house, Big Bash cricket is a fast and flashy affair. There's a set number of innings and overs, and the scoring system is super simple – score more runs, win the game. Easy peasy. There are a few other bits and bobs unique to this faster game, but they're not really necessary to enjoy it. Now that the hit-ball-run-score-points element of the game is behind us let's dive into the spectacle of the game. But first, who's who?
Who are the Major Players?
Remember Warnie (RIP) in the early noughties? That cheek and camaraderie has carried on into modern-day cricket, including the zippier, simpler, faster game of Big Bash. So, you can expect the same cult of personality personalities. We're not going to run you through all the gang, but here are some of the bigger names and faces.
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Paul Walter (Brisbane Heat)
Tall blokes usually get picked for a career on the courts of basketball, but England-born bowler Paul Walter made his way to the pitch instead. Paul, 'Tall Paul' as he's dubbed with his 6'7" stature, has spent the majority of his career in his homeland, but Aussie fans of the game know him well, too. He's putting his left-hand-favouring skills to work for the Brisbane Heat now, and you'd best be ready for some crowd catches. Tall Paul bats big.
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Jake Fraser-McGurk (Melbourne Renegades)
Another beautiful thing about BBL is the platform it provides for rising young stars to make their mark in the game. If anyone is making a mark at the moment, it's 22-year-old Melbourne Renegades batter Jake Fraser-McGurk. He's made a reputation for himself with several stellar performances at the state level, but he rocketed to stardom in 2021 with a legendary catch of a screamer against the Strikers.
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Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars)
One could argue that the true spectacle of any BBL game is the batting. And Marcus Stoinis knows how to hit. Known for his aggressive, chunky shots, he can change the course of a game single-handedly. His powerful arm, particularly at the top or middle of the over, makes him a crowd favourite, holding the record for the highest individual score in BBL history. As you can expect, Stoinis has a larger-than-life personality, which is reflected in his interactions with his teammates, his facial expressions, and, of course, his over-the-top celebrations.
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Teams and Rivalries
It wouldn't be sport if there wasn't a bit of drama. Team rivalries keep the game alive, and the audience engaged – what would football be without the Manchester United v Liverpool feud? In the Big Bash League, there are a few ongoing rivalries, maybe not as loud or fierce as Premier League bouts, but still good fun to watch. There are regular rivalries between teams that'll hit the pitch this season. For starters, there are the Sydney teams, the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, who are set to go head-to-head on Saturday, December 21.
Then, the Melbourne teams – the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars – will face off on Saturday, January 4. But the biggest and longest rivalry is between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers, who are set to play on Saturday, January 11. Why the beef? They're the two best teams in the competition and have met in the final on five occasions.
Rituals, Quirks and What to Expect
Aside from your big players, there are a number of rituals and fireworks (literally) that run alongside a typical Big Bash game. You've got the seagulls that will sit on the green, watching the game (legend has it they're old players reincarnated). There are the actual fireworks and flames, which are an integral part of every Big Bash game, exploding whenever a team enters, a ball hits the boundary, or a wicket is scored.
Then, there are derbies (hitting Sydney on December 17 and January 21, plus Melbourne on January 4 and January 12), pregames and halftime shows with live music, DJs, and of course, more fireworks. You didn't hear it from us, but some of the music acts this season will be unmissable, with major performances from the likes of Peking Duk, Baker Boy, Cyril and more planned on December 26 and 31, plus January 1, 4 and 12. Lastly, there's the time-honoured tradition of the KFC bucket heads, which is exactly how it sounds – chuck a KFC bucket on your head. Quirky? Yes. Nonsensical? A little, but all in the name of Aussie cricket.
No matter how you spin it (get it?), the Big Bash is something to get excited about.
For more information on the Big Bash League and it's 2025 season, head to the BBL website.
