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AAP
Sport
Justin Chadwick

X-Factor scrapped but BBL finally gets DRS

Just like at international level, the DRS will be introduced to this season's BBL and WBBL. (Kelly Barnes/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The upcoming BBL and WBBL seasons will feature a Decision Review System (DRS), but the Bash Boost point and the unpopular X-Factor sub have been scrapped.

Players have been vocal in calling for the introduction of the DRS in a bid to eradicate howlers from the game.

Plans to unveil it last season were scuppered due to the border issues caused by COVID-19.

But with Australia's international and domestic borders no longer a problem, DRS will be implemented in all BBL matches this season.

For the WBBL, the 24 matches shown on both Seven and Foxtel, including finals, will feature DRS.

The remaining 35 matches, which will be broadcast on cricket.com.au and simulcast on Foxtel, is produced via live stream technology and currently doesn't support DRS.

The league says it will "strive towards greater DRS coverage for future WBBL seasons".

Under the DRS rules, the captain has 15 seconds to call for a review, and each team will have one unsuccessful review per innings.

The reviewing team will keep their review if the decision results in 'Umpire's Call'.

The upcoming BBL season will also see the introduction of an innings clock, which requires the fielding team to commence the last over inside 79 minutes (plus allowances).

If the time is exceeded, the fielding team will be limited to only four fielders outside the field restriction circle for the remainder of the innings.

The clock will not be implemented in the WBBL.

But the women's competition will feature the Power Surge after it was successfully implemented into the BBL.

It means all matches will now feature a four-over Powerplay at the beginning of the innings, with a two-over Power Surge to be called by the batting team between overs 11-20.

Only two fielders may be outside the field restriction circle during these times.

The X-Factor, which allowed teams to sub in a player at the 10th over of the first innings, has been binned after two unsuccessful years.

The Bash Boost, which was a bonus point awarded to the team who had the highest score at the 10-over mark, has also been scrapped.

Competition points will revert to two for a win, one for a tie or an abandoned match, and zero for a loss.

"We retain a clear desire to innovate and drive our leagues forward but are also willing to review decisions that have not realised the intended positive impact, such as the Bash Boost point and X-Factor substitution," Cricket Australia general manager of BBL Alistair Dobson said.

The WBBL begins on October 13, with the BBL to start on December 13.

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