The Big League Bash flashy explosions off on Friday with some of the biggest stars in Twenty20 international cricket alongside Australian legend Shane Warne in order to attract a new younger audience.
Cricket Australia is looking to create a world-class T20 tournament in much the same mold as the Indian Premier League with eight city-based teams and an emphasis on energy and fast-paced atmosphere.
The Big Bash has attracted some of the greats of the T20: Pakistan Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq, West Indians Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, South African Herschell Gibbs, England Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah.
Legspinning great Warne, now 42, is back to play again for the Melbourne star after appearing to end his stellar career in the IPL in May.
The former Test stars Matthew Hayden and Stuart MacGill were attracted to the shorter form of the game, alongside David Warner T20 contemporaries, Shane Watson and Brett Lee
The eight city franchises - Strikers Adelaide, Brisbane heat, hurricanes, Hobart, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Star, Scorchers Perth, Sydney and Sydney Sixers Thunder - have filled their quota of two players abroad.
Cricket Australia are looking to explore new markets sponsorship with games averaged 20,000 fans.
"It's fantastic for Australian cricket to have a city-based cricket franchise," said Warne, who burned his right hand bowling this week in an accident of bacon cooking, but expects to play against Sydney Thunder in the MCG on Saturday.
"Investigating what Cricket Australia is trying to achieve. - I think we have the opportunity in Australia to have a world-class Twenty20 tournament"
BBL Chief Mike McKenna said: "We're trying to sell this type of game to a new audience and our goal is really to create new heroes."
"Playing on the period of Christmas and New Year also ensures that there will be high quality cricket in each Australian capital during the game? S peak times of the year.
"Fans will have many opportunities to see some of the stars of the game closely."
The Big Bash runs from December 16 to January 28 last, the same day as the scheduled fifth day of Test cricket in Australia last Wednesday and with India in Adelaide.
The traditional four-day Sheffield Shield competition has been marginalized by the Big Bash in February.
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