For fans of the Big Bash League (BBL), based on the 2024/25 BBL|14 Playing Conditions, the latest published by Cricket Australia. Covers match length, the Power Surge and fielding restrictions, over rates, free hits, player reviews, tied matches and the Super Over, ladder points, the finals series and concussion substitutes.
Each side bats one innings of a maximum of 20 overs.
The playing conditions give each innings two kinds of fielding restriction overs, with a maximum of 2 fielders outside the fielding restriction area (the 30-yard circle, 27.43 metres) in both:
Batters must nominate the floating overs no later than the moment the umpire reaches the stumps at the bowler's end for the start of the next over, and the decision cannot be reversed. If the batting side does not choose, the floating overs start automatically at the beginning of the 19th over.
In all other overs, a maximum of 5 fielders are permitted outside the fielding restriction area.
When a team's overs are reduced, the number of fielding restriction overs is cut according to a table. It applies to both innings.
| Overs in innings | Fixed Powerplay overs | Floating overs |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 4 | 2 |
| 19 | 4 | 2 |
| 18 | 4 | 1 |
| 17 | 4 | 1 |
| 16 | 4 | 1 |
| 15 | 3 | 1 |
| 14 | 3 | 1 |
| 13 | 3 | 1 |
| 12 | 3 | 1 |
| 11 | 2 | 1 |
| 10 | 2 | 1 |
| 9 | 2 | 1 |
| 5 to 8 | 2 | 0 |
Other points:
The fielding side must be in position to bowl the first ball of the final over of the innings by 79 minutes of playing time (the cut-off time). For a reduced innings the cut-off is (innings overs minus 1) multiplied by 4 minutes, plus 2 minutes.
If the side misses the cut-off, from the start of the next over and for the rest of the innings no more than 4 fielders (instead of 5) are permitted outside the fielding restriction area. If those overs coincide with the Power Surge, a maximum of 2 fielders are permitted outside it.
The penalty does not apply if the innings is reduced to less than 10 overs (unless the penalty was already applied before the reduction), or if the innings finishes before the cut-off time.
The delivery after a No ball is a free hit for whichever batter is facing it. If the free hit delivery is itself a No ball or a Wide, the next delivery is also a free hit.
In each innings, each team can make a maximum of one unsuccessful Player Review.
If both innings are completed with the scores level, the match is a tie (wickets lost are not counted) and the teams play a Super Over.
If the Super Over is also tied: in a home and away match it stays a tie and each team gets 1 point; in a finals match (including the Final) further Super Overs are played until there is a winner, each starting 5 minutes after the last, with the team that batted second in the previous one batting first.
In finals, 30 minutes of extra time (from the start of the Super Over) is allowed. If delays use it up, the Super Over process is abandoned and the team that earned the right to host that finals match wins. Cricket Australia can also limit the number of Super Overs when it has unavoidable time constraints, such as double-header semi-finals.
Match points in the home and away season:
Teams finishing level on points are ordered by, in this sequence:
There are four finals matches, played in this order:
The winner of the Final is crowned BBL Champion and the loser is BBL Runner Up. If a final cannot be played at its venue for logistical or venue-related reasons, Cricket Australia can move it to another venue, which may be the opposing team's venue.
If a Super Over cannot be completed (or further Super Overs are not possible), or the match has no result or is abandoned:
Cricket Australia may also relocate the Final, on the scheduled day or the reserve day, if it believes the Final may be materially affected by adverse ground conditions, weather, bad light or other circumstances.
Yes. If the relevant medical personnel formally notify the Match Referee that a player has concussion, that team can activate a Concussion Substitute for the rest of the match.
Apart from this, a player cannot be replaced after the teams are nominated without the opposing captain's consent.