BBL Big Bash Book 2017-18
Archie Mac |Published: 2017
Pages: 186
Author: Lane, Daniel
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Rating: 3.5 stars
It’s a credit to all involved, but particularly the players, that the Big Bash becomes bigger and better each year. Last summer Big Bash 06 broke all attendance records for previous seasons. So much so that the Big Bash is now one of the six most attended sports in the World, and in Australia is second only to the AFL (Australian Football League).
The Women’s Big Bash 02 also continued to grow last season and has established its own following. The strong TV ratings for the Women’s Big Bash has seen it recognised as a clear pathway for talented female athletes. The Women play more games than their male counterparts and it’s a credit to the standard of play that the longer season maintains interest despite the competition from other sports.
The Big Bash Book (BBB), has also established itself as the authority on both competitions. This is the third edition, and while the BBB maintains its high production standards the publishers keep reinventing the BBB to increase its appeal.
The new BBB features a complete recap of BB 06 and BB 02. The layout for the seasons review is user friendly. Each team has a glossy four page spread, two pages of which are dedicated to last summer and two pages preview BBB 07 and BBB 03 respectively. The page devoted to the stats of the previous season is ideal and is a credit to the design team.
Apart from the brief recap on all the teams there is a more detailed section to summarise each match played last summer, culminating in full coverage of the finals. As the millions of fans of the Big Bash will know, last summer’s winners were The Scorchers for the men and the Sydney 6ers for the women and both will be hard to beat again this summer, although personally I like the look of the Melbourne Renegades in the men’s competition.
The preview for the new season contains full team lists as well as featuring “three players to watch”. The three players selected are a nice blend of upcoming talent and established stars. As always the Big Bash continues to attract some of the best 20/20 players from around the world. Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo, Kane Richardson and Kevin Pietersen join all the Aussie stars including the biggest six hitter of them all, Chris Lynn, who also pens an enjoyable forward to the BBB.
There are not many exercises the cricket fan enjoys more than picking a best XI. Author Daniel Lane has selected his best XI from Big Bash 06. I only managed to guess six of the side. I hope you do better but I won’t share the team, you’ll have to buy the book.
If you intend to watch a game of the Big Bash this season you’ll find the BBB indispensable. Daniel Lane has been the author for all three editions of the BBB and his knowledge of both the game and what makes for entertaining reading have helped to produce the best BBB yet. Must reading for all fans of the Big Bash.
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