Cricket Australia’s (CA) Big Bash League (BBL) made a major amendment in the player contracting rule, as the franchisees are now allowed to sign up to six overseas players across the season, two more from the previous seasons for the upcoming 2019-20 season of the BBL.

The decision has been taken by the CA and BBL after reviewing its rules and regulations following the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. With the latest development, the top international players can be available for short stints during a busy international calendar.

While the BBL franchisees are eligible to have a maximum of two overseas players in their eighteen-man squad, now they can name any of these four players as the potential replacements throughout the course of the upcoming Australian T20 tournament.

Anthony Everard, Cricket Australia Executive General Manager Fan Engagement, said about the development, “We've considered feedback from our fans and worked with relevant stakeholders of the game to implement changes that will continue to improve the competition in 2019/20.”

He signed off by saying, “The ACA, BBL clubs and our broadcast partners have been an integral part of that, leading to the introduction of each club being allowed to contract up to six overseas players in BBL|09. The maximum number of overseas players permitted in a club's squad will remain at two, but there is now increased flexibility to contract up to six players throughout the season and rotate them in and out as required.”

(With AAP Inputs)