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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jack Snape

Big Bash League momentum builds but its future remains up in the air

Ollie Peake celebrates after hitting a six off the last ball of the Big Bash League game to lift Melbourne Renegades to victory over Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium
The BBL has returned to form with record crowds and broadcast audiences but Australia’s T20 league remains under pressure to compete with overseas competitions. Photograph: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Renegades fans got a kick out of the Melbourne BBL derby last Sunday, as they watched their side triumph in the final over against the crosstown Stars. But it was Australian cricket officials who went home giddy amid an increasingly heated international contest between T20 franchise leagues.

The 68,124 at the MCG – the highest BBL crowd since 2017 – were joined by almost 38,000 in Perth to watch the Scorchers beat the Strikers later that night. The combined turnout set the competition’s single-day attendance record of 105,767.

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