Big Bash success would depend on Indian players – Andrew McDonald
Cricket Australia unveiled its Big Bash League yesterday but, at the rear of the hype, came a dose of reality from Melbourne Renegades skipper Andrew McDonald.
Asked if the Twenty20 BBL could hope to compete with the Indian Premier League, McDonald said the key factor would be obtaining India’s big names engaged.
The BBL is going to have aging Aussie greats Shane Warne (Melbourne Stars) and Matthew Hayden (Brisbane Heat) for action this summer.
But courting the Indian market, to enhance a list of imports which includes West Indies pair Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, would be another thing again.
McDonald wore a red shirt to promote the Renegades, alongside his Victorian captain Cameron White, in the green of Melbourne Stars. The pair will play in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield games versus
Tasmania and Queensland before parting ways for the BBL season coming from December 16 to Jan 28. “To rival the IPL we probably must bring in the Indian players in the competition,” McDonald said.
“Unfortunately, this year the BCCI [Indian board] didn’t allow them to come out and play, which is their prerogative, with the big India-Australia series approaching.
“For it to be world-renowned, we’re ought to open up a window for it, that is certainly going to be the difficult part.”