Australian Big Bash can match Indian Premier League

Sydney, Jan 24(ANI): After the massive success gathered by Twenty20 Big Bash, Australia's domestic tournament, it is being seen as a tournament having the potential to become as big as the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Big Bash has been such a success that it has smashed into the sacred domain which rugby enjoys in terms of pay television ratings of the country.

It was a similar story at grounds around the country, where 290,868 fans made it to the 16 fixtures leading up to last night's final at the Gabba.

"Compared to the IPL, the numbers they get to the crowds over there and the numbers we got this year in the Big Bash is almost even. That's a great thing for cricket. The overseas players add another dimension to the game. They've really delivered this summer and the standard of cricket was right up there," The Daily Telegraph quoted David Warner, New South Wales opener, as saying.

"Playing for NSW, we wanted to try to set the standard really high after our Champions League victory and we couldn't make the finals. Compared to last year, the Big Bash has improved 100 per cent," he added.

He added that it might not be able to match the money that the Indian team owners offer to players, but it can definitely compete in terms of television ratings as well as stadium supporters.

Retired Test all-rounder Shane Lee reasons the Big Bash was more interesting than Australia's Test matches against the West Indies and Pakistan.

"I've been in and around state cricket for the last 20 years and I've never heard more people talking about it. It's actually been more interesting than the international cricket this year," Lee said.

"It's the way forward. There's no question Twenty20 has opened up a whole new market in terms of the future of the game," he added. (ANI)