The eighth season of Big Bash League (BBL) kickstarted on Wednesday, breaking the 141-year-old traditional method of coin tosses in cricket. The Australian T20 tournament decided to replace the practice of the tossing of a coin with what it calls a 'bat flip'.
BBL teams Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat became the first two teams in the history of the gentlemen’s game to flip a bat to decide to bat or bowl. Former Aussie batsman Mathew Hayden was given the honour to flip the bat.
Instead of heads or tails, the visiting team skipper, Collin Ingram, was asked to choose from ‘hills or flats’.
Here’s the video:
About the bat used for the flip
It was a specially tailored bat used for the flip and supplied by the BBL.
Purpose of the change
Kim McConnie, head of the league, stated that they made such a major change in order to “reflect what BBL is about”.
“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?” said McConnie.
Importance of coin toss
The traditional method of the tossing of a coin in cricket is practiced since the inaugural match in 1877 between England and Australia. It’s generally considered more important in the Test format when the deterioration of the pitch and weather across the five days has a significant effect on a captain's choice to bat or bowl first.