'Brilliant slot': CA boss eyes BBL Christmas fixture

Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg insists Christmas Day would be a "brilliant slot" for a BBL fixture, but concedes players still need to be won over.

Cricket has toyed with the idea of playing on Christmas Day since the BBL started in 2011.

The league even introduced Christmas Eve games in 2019, only to be scrapped in 2023.

The NBL has played games on Christmas Day since 2022 and remains the only Australian professional sporting competition to do so.

"My personal view is I think that would be a brilliant slot in the right market with the right teams," Greenberg told SEN on Saturday.

"Clearly we have to work through the ACA (Australian Cricketers' Association) and the players because we need to work with them on that.

"But we're actively engaged in conversations about that as we speak."

Greenberg says CA is testing multiple models on how a Christmas Day fixture could work, describing it as an "open challenge" for the governing body's staff.

He said players needed to be given clarity around the plans and not feel as if a Christmas Day fixture is being imposed on them.

"I want the players to feel like they're part of something special and we're creating another occasion," Greenberg said.

"I remember years ago before AFL and NRL really nailed down Anzac Day, there was criticism of playing on Anzac Day.

"Now that's one of the great moments in the winter codes.

"I get a sense cricket can do that on Christmas Day for a variety of different reasons and opportunities. We are looking at that carefully."

Greenberg is eager to continue innovating, after borrowing a popular baseball tradition to allow BBL fans to take home balls that are hit into the crowd in the first over of each innings this year.

BBL is also set to introduce a 'designated hitter' next summer, who can bat but won't have to field.

It is hoped the move will allow big-hitting stars to prolong their careers, with a 'designated fielder' to take their places in the field without bowling.

"We've got to be prepared to try different things," Greenberg said.

"We will be challenged and we will be criticised. That's OK, but geez, if BBL is not the space to try some of things and innovate ...

"If they don't work then we'll look at something else, but you never know until you have a crack."