The KFC Big Bash League’s new-look Finals series begins next week, with five teams to do battle in a revamped five-match format.
For KFC BBL|09, the new format was introduced to provide a greater reward for those teams finishing in the top two, while also keeping more teams in the hunt in the home and away season’s latter stages.
To reach The Final on Saturday, February 8, teams must do the following:
- Teams finishing first and second: Win either The Qualifier or The Challenger.
- Team finishing third: Win two matches – The Knockout and The Challenger.
- Teams finishing fourth and fifth: Win three matches – The Eliminator, The Knockout and The Challenger.
By virtue of securing first place on the KFC BBL|09 ladder, the Melbourne Stars have earned the right to host The Qualifier at the MCG on Friday, January 31. The winner of The Qualifier will host The Final on Saturday, February 8.
A further six clubs remain in contention to join the Stars in the Finals, with the five-game fixture to be determined over the nine games home and away matches to come.
The complete Finals fixture will be confirmed in due course, with tickets for The Eliminator, The Qualifier and The Knockout to go on sale on Tuesday, January 28.
For the run to the Finals, eleven players from Australia’s Qantas Tour of India ODI squad will return to their clubs.
- Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers)
- Marnus Labuschagne (Brisbane Heat)
- D’Arcy Short (Hobart Hurricanes)
- Peter Handscomb and Adam Zampa (Melbourne Stars)
- Aaron Finch and Kane Richardson (Melbourne Renegades)
- Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner (Perth Scorchers)
- Josh Hazlewood and Steve Smith (Sydney Sixers)
