The Summer I Turned On The Cricket: Why The Big Bash League Is The Place To Be
More often than not, looking for a summer activity that caters to everyone can feel like you’re trying to solve the world’s hardest maths problem.
Behold, the ultimate answer to all your group activity prayers within one epic summer event: The Big Bash League.
You see, the Big Bash League is more than just cricket; it’s a whirlwind of experiences that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, all night long.
Not convinced yet? Here are some of the top perks of seeing the cricket IRL that are bound to have you and your mates well and truly sat in the intoxicating atmosphere of the Big Bash League this summer.
The entertainment never stops
If giving you a good quality game of cricket wasn’t enough, the BBL is jam-packed with pre, mid and post-show entertainment that’ll get you and your mates on their feet.
The BBL is always changing it up, offering live entertainment from well-known performers, musicals and more from the likes of everything from The Presets to Birds of Tokyo.
As an avid BBL goer myself, I can vouch that the year they brought Guy Sebastian out was like no other. You truly haven’t lived unless you’ve sung along to “Battle Scars” with the screaming lungs of over 80,000 passionate cricket fans.
The MCG Melbourne Derby on January 4 will have Rudimental performing, and the Marvel Stadium Melbourne Derby on January 10 will have CYRIL and Thirsty Merc performing. As the kids say — it’s about to get lit.
If you thought that was all, remember it’s the BIG Bash League, not the little bash league, so you’d better be ready for some serious pyrotechnics during the match. Every peak life experience includes fireworks, after all.
The rivalry
Sometimes, being amongst a crowd of passionate people is an absolute vibe, even if you have no clue what’s going on.
Founded in 2011, the BBL has been around long enough to have cooked up some serious rivalries between teams, and boy, are they juicy.
Consistently, the most attended games of the year are the Melbourne Derbies between the Stars and the Renegades. There’s just something so Aussie about being for and against your hometown at the same time, and these city-based derbies are just about the embodiment of it.
While the Stars took the chocolates last time they faced off, the Renegades are underdogs that are definitely worth rooting for. Plus, if you aren’t across Stoinis and Zampa’s bromance within the rivalry, you’re missing out. Just call them star-crossed lovers.
Pro tip: if you can only attend one match this summer, have it be the MCG Melbourne Derby on January 4 or the Marvel Stadium Derby on January 10. These are set to be games like no other.
If you want to bring the fam along, there’s even a 6pm family friendly timeslot on the January 4 match. Needless to say, it’s a summer activity that leaves no one out.
If the fan passion wasn’t enough, try the ‘power surge’ on for size — the two-over period sends the crowd into a tizzy, with lights, music, and the general vibe being absolutely insane. Fans can even hit a physical button to trigger the surge itself. It’s pretty sick.
If the camera lands on you and you’re up on the big screen, it’d be rude not to give us a dance. With so many things going on at once, there’s never a dull moment.
So, if you and your mates are in for a night of high-energy competition, take your seat, pick a side and see where the night takes you.
The actual cricket, believe it or not
If the only cricket you’re familiar with is baggy greens and matches that seem to span for weeks, then the BBL is going to feel like a completely different beast to you.
The Big Bash League is solely dedicated to the T20 match format, which only allows teams to bat for 20 overs each. This fast-paced style of cricket means there’s no time to muck around, so you’d better lock in and knock out some sixes. It’s called big BASH for a reason, after all.
With the main goal to get as many runs as quickly as possible, you’re in for a night of cricket like no other. With sixes flying left, right and centre, you won’t be able to keep your eyes off Australia’s most dynamic game of cricket.
Plus, the energy at these games is next level. You haven’t truly experienced crowd ambience until you’ve seen someone from the losing team make a surprise comeback.
Having a good ol’ Aussie bite
There’s something so therapeutic about eating a pie or sausage roll at an Aussie sporting match. If you haven’t done it yet, let this be your sign.
Pies at the cricket are our equivalent of a hot dog at baseball, and we all know you can’t go to the baseball without having a hot dog. Them’s the rules.
On the contrary, if you’re not a fan of having a nosh in your seat, there are so many other options for food and drink at the game. Yes, even for your friend who’s got a convenient intolerance to everything (we all know that’s just fancy talk for picky eater).
There’s even the option to sit at the bar with your food and drink while they livestream the game, so you don’t miss a second of the action while you tuck in (some venues even have a view of the game from their dining area, nothing better than dinner and a show).
With a plethora of food and drink selection from all cuisines, one thing’s for sure — at a BBL match, you’ll never go hungry.
Glenn Maxwell
I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “What do you mean a singular man can be a reason why I attend something?”
While that question would be valid in any other article written by anyone else, it does not exist here.
Allow me to educate you on the man that is Glenn Maxwell.
The man, the myth, the legend himself — Maxi is an all-rounder cricket star who always puts on a show worth watching.
Holding the current single-game BBL record of 164 runs off just 64 deliveries (for non-cricket fans, those numbers are insane), it really seems as though this man has no fear.
As the all-time highest run scorer for his team, the Melbourne Stars, Maxi is the embodiment of the T20’s dynamic nature. If you and your mates want to watch some truly exciting cricket, come and see this legend in action.
He can do it all, and it is truly an honour to see it IRL.
Well, there you have it, a short rundown of why the BBL is the Meryl Streep of summer events (it really can do it all).
So don’t just sit there, hit up that group chat and don’t dare take no for an answer. This night will be one for the books, I promise you. Grab your tix now.
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