Ever since the first Test between England and Australia in 1877, the toss of a coin has been an integral part of international cricket. In Test cricket, the coin is flipped by the captain of the hosts and the visiting skipper makes the call. But in recent times its relevance has been questioned with an unfair advantage to the home team being the main criteria. However, the Big Bash League (BBL) has gone one step ahead and decided that a bat flip will replace the coin toss. The BBL has always been known to innovate, but the move to introduce the “hills” or “flats” will surely irk the pundits.

Cricket Australia’s head of the Big Bash League, Kim McConnie, spoke to abc.net and said, “For me, it’s a great moment which reflects what BBL is about.” However, there have been some serious concerns of this form of toss as hills remains the likely call as the bat has the natural tendency to rest with the flats side on the ground.

ALSO READ: Big Ant Studios Launches Big Bash Boom Ahead Of The BBL Season

Dismissing concerns McConnie said, “You’d be surprised at the science that’s gone into this. It is a specially weighted bat to make sure that it is 50-50. I’ve got it from great authority at our [bat maker] Kookaburra friends that this is a tested and weighted bat to deliver that equity.” When asked if the move will face a backlash, McConnie confidently answered, “Some people don’t like change but I’d also challenge people to say when was the last time anyone watched the coin toss or really focused on it to a great extent?” 

Kim further stated that they are looking to make the environment much more relevant to families, and they are even willing to create which is much more fitting with kids.

Viewers can witness the first bat flip toss on December 19 when Brisbane Heat’s Chris Lynn conducts the flip toss against Adelaide Strikers in the BBL season opener. Australia’s BBL returns for its eighth edition. The league stage is set to end on February 10 and the final will be held a week later on February 17.