MANAGING EVENT FOR HOSPITALITY & TOURISM: AUSTRALIAN BIG BASH LEAGUE, 2015

INTRODUCTION
The Australia Big Bash League (BBL, also known as the KFC Big Bash League for
sponsorship reasons) is an Australian professional Twenty 20 cricket League, which was
established in 2011 by Cricket Australia. The Big Bash League replaced the previous
competition, the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, and features eight city-based franchises instead of the
six state teams which had participated previously. The competition has been sponsored by fast
food chicken outlet KFC since its inception.

BBL matches are played in Australia during the summer in the months of December and
January. It is now placed eighth in the list of most attended sports leagues in the world with
respect to average crowd per match 2015.

Reference (Big Bash League jumps into top 10 of most attended sports leagues in the
world smh.com.au. Retrieved on 12 January 2016 .)

Reference (Big Bash world's 9th most attended league: Report Press Trust of India (PTI).
Retrieved on 12 January 2016)

The KFC Big Bash League has become a jewel in the crown of Australian domestic cricket. The
revolutionary tournament which broke tradition in 2011-12 by splitting the states into city-based
teams has proven to be an immeasurable success, breaking attendance records and achieving
astonishing broadcast ratings. Over 2,000,000 fans have packed into stadiums across the country
with millions more watching on the television. The group stage matches are divided into 8
rounds, with 4 matches played in each round. Each team plays 8 group stage matches, four at
home and four away, before the top 4 ranked teams progress to the Semi Finals. The Final of the
tournament is played at the home ground of the highest-ranked team. KFC Big Bash League
2015-16 continued from Thursday 17th December to Sunday 24th January. The total number of

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matches during a season tally up to 35, with 32 group stage matches and 3 knock out matches. It
was organized by Cricket Australia in collaboration with sponsors. The organizers provided high
quality services to the teams as well as spectators in terms of security, health, food, awards, cash
prizes by following the planning and marketing strategies. The high quality of services led to
record crowds during BBL matches. The BBL is conducted in each summer in Australia.

PERSPECTIVE OF THE STUDY

 Analysis of Big Bash League 2015 Planning Process
 Analysis of complexities of Big Bash League 2015
 Analysis of Critical Success Factors (CSF) of Australian Big Bash League 2015
 Analysis of Implicit & Explicit Services of Australian Big Bash League (BBL) 2015
 SWOT Analysis of Australian Big Bash League (BBL) 2015
 Analysis of Australian Big Bash League (BBL) 2015 Service Quality Management
 Analysis of Big Bash League 2015 Risk management
 Future prospectus

Big Bash League’s (BBL) PLANNING PROCESS

Concept behind Big Bash League (BBL)

The purpose of  Big Bash League (BBL, also known as the KFC Big Bash League for
sponsorship reasons) is an Australian professional Twenty 20 cricket League, was to provide
high-energy, non-stop entertainment, all played in a three-hour window. Every match of the KFC
BBL 2015 includes scoring as many runs as the batsmen can, as fast as batsmen can and to stop
the opposition to score the runs by bowlers .

Reference (http://www.bigbash.com.au/the-bbl/how-the-game-works)

Purpose of Big Bash League (BBL)

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The primary objective of the BBL 2015 is similar to the game of cricket i.e. to score runs and
take wickets. T20 matches are played by two teams of 11 players and three hours from start to
finish. Each Team gets the chance to bat and bowl. A coin is tossed at the start of the match to
determine which team bats first. Once this team completes its innings (20 overs) the teams swap
roles. Every member of the team can bat and bowl though most players specialize in one or the
other .

Reference (http://www.bigbash.com.au/)

Big Bash League (BBL)’s Requirements

The execution of an event has its requirements and necessities to be arranged by the organizers.
The requirements of BBL 2015 include venues, sponsorship, vehicles, media, music, food and
beverages, equipments, fireworks, vendors and suppliers, volunteer teams etc. In addition, sport
accessories like uniforms for players, sport kits, score boards etc. Security teams were arranged
to ensure safety and security of players and viewers during the event. Medical teams were hired
to provide prompt medical facilities in case of any emergency or crisis during BBL.

Big Bash League (BBL)’s Budget

In February 2015, BBL salary cap increased to $1.30 million for the fifth season of BBL.
Reference ( http://www.bigbash.com.au/)

Currently, the salary cap has increased to $1.40 million, an increase of $100,000 compared to
previous season. Under the $1.40 million salary cap, a team can sign a total of 18 contracted
players consisting of a minimum of 2 rookie contracts and maximum of 2 overseas players. In
addition, 2 overseas replacement players can also be signed by a team.

Reference (BBL|06 CONTRACTING PERIOD OPENS sydneysixers.com.au. Retrieved on 27

January 2016).

In addition budget of all requirements was managed by Australia Cricket in collaboration with
the sponsors.

Grounds

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A total of 10 grounds have been used to host BBL matches till date. Sydney Thunder moved out
of ANZ Stadium after 2014–15 seasons and relocated to Spotless Stadium for the next 10 years.
The Final of the tournament is played at the home ground of the highest-ranked team. Etihad
Stadium and Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Spotless Stadium and Sydney Cricket
Ground in Sydney were the selected grounds for BBL 2015.

Sponsorship

BBL was conducted under the banner of KFC that’s why called as KFC BBL. Australia Cricket
arranged this event. Other main sponsor was ZOOPER DOOPER that provided signage on the
back of Umpire’s shirts and also arranged different activities and opportunities for enjoyment of
the viewers. It also selected social as well as digital assets for the event.

Reference (http://www.bigbash.com.au/News/big-bash-league-partnership-zooper-dooper/2015-
10-26)

TOYOTA , Weet-Bix, ten, Majestic Athletic, New Era, Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat,
Hurricanes, also sponsored the event.

Reference (http://www.bigbash.com.au/)

Big Bash League (BBL)’s Quality Plan

Quality plan is a document, or several documents, that together specify quality standards,
practices, resources, specifications, and the sequence of activities relevant to a particular product,
service, project, or contract. Quality plan of the BBL comprised of selection of teams, venues,
arrangement of resources, sports activities in the ground. A team of sponsors along with
administrator is responsible for its yearly execution. Each aspect of the event is individually
given priority to achieve high standards of the event.

Big Bash League (BBL)’s Risk Management Plan

The risk plan of the event involves management of internal and external risks. Internal risk to the
event involves the financial resources, availability of equipment and logistics. It can also include
availability of servers, digital resources and social media. External risks are outside of the control

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of the project team and organization. The economical situation, terrorism, limitation of resources,
directly impacts the project effectiveness.

Reference(www.brighthubpm.com/risk-management/94946-internal-vs-external-risks-in-project-
management)

. The success of the management lies in development of precise and comprehensive, practicable
risk management policy. All members of management adhered to risk management policies and
practices to ensure proper risk management of BBL 2015.

Reference (Short and-recreation—organizations. Guide-to-developing-Risk-Management-plans-

pdf)

Big Bash League (BBL)’s Marketing Plan

The event can be advertised by using electronic media, print media and online media. In
electronic media the channels were the focal points to broadcast the advertisement of BBL 2015.
Print media advertising focused on newspaper and magazines ads contributed to the success of
the event through inducing enthusiasm in the viewer. Special official websites designed for
marketing of BBL was www.bigbash.com.au.

Big Bash League (BBL)’s Communication Plan

The BBL has gained national and international recognition among cricket fans and they love to
watch it live or on broadcast media. The official website of BBL provides updated news, photos,
videos, schedule of matches, match results, ladder, stats involving competition status and team
ranking. “The Sydney Morning Herald” published “Big Bash League: 2015 season guide and
predictions” on 16 December 2015 comprising of squad, strengths and weakness of teams and
prediction of the performance of the teams.

Reference (www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/big-bash/big-bash-league-201516-season-guide-and -
predictions-20151216-gloonw.html)

Execution of Big Bash League (BBL)

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Big Bash League (BBL) 2015 executed according to all the above mentioned plans. The
organizers succeeded to provide the best of cricket smashed up, repackaged and delivered in a
quick, sharp and explosive 3 hour block. The event comprised of thrilling and delightful
moments with the viewers kept on the edge of their seats till the very last ball.

Feedback of Big Bash League (BBL) 2015

The feedback of BBL 2015 can be evidenced from the record crowd viewed during BBL
matches. Melbourne has stolen Adelaide’s mantle as host of the BBL’s biggest crowd. The
previous record was 52,633 set during last season’s semi-final showdown between the Strikers
and the Sixers. Adelaide Oval drew 46,389 for the New Year’s Eve clash between the Strikers
and Sixers earlier this week and 47,441 for Day One of the first ever day-night Test last year.

Reference (http://calvinayre.com/2016/01/06/sports/cricket-australia-guards-bets-on-big-bash-
league/)

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Big Bash League  (BBL) 2015 PLANNING PROCESS CHART

Concept behind BBL 2015

Purpose of BBL 2015

Big Bash League’s Requirements

Big Bash League’s Budget

Big Bash League’s Grounds

Big Bash League’s sponsorship

Big Bash League’s Quality Plan

Big Bash League’s Risk Plan

Big Bash League’s Marketing Plan

Big Bash League’s Communication Plan

Execution of Big Bash League 2015

Feedback of Big Bash League 2015

Complexities of the Big Bash League

The complexities of the Big Bash League 2015 can be discussed as under:

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Fair Games

Now a day when everyone wants to win the race, the cricket players are ceaselessly in a state of
competition to earn more and more. So they want to earn money by hook or by crook. To
entertain the audience with fair game is a big challenge. The fair game can be ensured by strict
rules and regulations for the players involved in illegal and unfair activity without any
discrimination. Domestic bookmakers such as Tatts Group and TABCORP, along with the hotel
industry, believe that the speed of in-play betting on sport or racing can be relatively controlled
in the retail and telephone environment (where it is currently legal) and measures should be
taken to prevent its extension to the online environment.

Reference (http://calvinayre.com/2016/01/06/sports/cricket-australia-guards-bets-on-big-bash-
league/)

Crowd

To manage the crowd on the special sport event is not a child’s play. Big Bash League 2015
organizers were thrilled by record crowd. The highly-anticipated local derby between
Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has smashed
the Big Bash League attendance record by a huge crowd in excess of 80,000. A large number
of fans were stranded outside after the start of the play as new security measures failed to
cope with the turn out. However the venue management was good enough to prevent any
mishaps in the crowd. The Big Bash League is continuing to develop but it is successfully
delivering on its purpose to attract kids, families and females to the game .
Reference
(http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/big-bash/big-bash-league-201516-record-crowd-for-
stars-vs-renegades-sparks-mcg-frustration-20160102-glya8g.html)
(http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/record-bbl-crowd-sparks-mcg-frustration/news-
story/31d90ec4c6a193dc05f89dcb079b1fb3)

Security

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The safety and security of fans, players and officials at an event is always top priority for the
organizers. The new counter-terrorism fence and under-staffed security checkpoints highly
improved security at Big Bash League 2015 but slowed entry of the crowd to the facility. The
security measures included a perimeter fence around the stadium, frames and blocks were
stacked up around the stadium and after entry into ground the fans were checked with a metal-
detecting wand. The consistent vigilance of organizers regarding security was the main factor for
huge crowds at Big Bash League 2015.

Reference (http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/record-bbl-crowd-sparks-mcg-frustration/news-
story/31d90ec4c6a193dc05f89dcb079b1fb3)

Explicit & Implicit Services of Big Bash League

Explicit and implicit services are part of a service package that is provided for some event. The
explicit services include essential or intrinsic factors and benefits readily observable by the
senses. E.g. quality of food and beverage, attitude of the persons etc. Intrinsic services include
psychological benefits or extrinsic features which the consumer may sense only vaguely. E.g.
security.

Reference (http://www.slideshare.net/johnny060/module-1-lect-ure-5-the-nature-of-services?
next_slideshow=1)

Big Bash League’s Scope

Big Bash League’s organizers shared the scope of the league on all sorts of media before the
execution of the event.

Big Bash League’s Marketing

The Big Bash League 2015 was marketed by print media, television, social media i.e. face book,
twitter, instagram, you tube etc. Each and every activity of the league was shared with the
viewers to get immediate feedback or comments and ensure success of the event.

Big Bash League’s Media coverage

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The effective media coverage of an event does not only serve the viewers but also provides an
effective opportunity to attract the potential sponsorship. A number of live broadcasters in
Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, England, Bangladesh, and UAE, USA have been contracted
with the Australian Board. These broadcasting T.V Channels include Sky Sports, STAR Sports,
Network Ten TV Channels, and Star Sports 4 TV Channels and Willow TV channel. Big Bash
League is now also introducing live radio commentary for cricket lovers on official radio
coverage website www.fairfaxradionews.com.au.

Awards given in BBL

Cricket Australia increased the prize money for the BBL 2015 to a total of $890,000 for the four finalists
from BBL 2015. The prize money was distributed as $20,000 to the team finishing 5 th in the season, $
80,000 to each losing semi-finalist, $260,000 to the runner up and $450,000 to the champion of the
season.
Reference (http://livecrickethub.com/kfc-big-bash-league-2015-16-broadcasting-tv-channels-
info/)

. A Trophy was awarded to the champion of the season.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS(CSF) OF BBL 2015

Critical success factor is a management term for an element that is necessary for an organization
of project to achieve its mission. It is necessary to ensure the success of the event. Critical
success factors for BBL 2015 include

1. Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction refers to the number of customers, or percentage of total customers,
whose reported experience of an event exceeds specified satisfaction goals. The ultimate
success of the event relies on customer satisfaction. The level of customer’s satisfaction
can be analyzed from the feedback of the viewers or audience during the event. It is like a
performance indicator of the organizer. It serves as a metric to manage and improve the

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 event. It is actually the spectator’s satisfaction that fascinates them to attend each season
of the event with zeal and zest.
2. Service Quality
An assessment of how well a delivered service conforms to the client’s expectations is
called Service Quality. Both tangible and intangible services are provided to the teams
and spectators. Service quality dimensions measure the gap between customer’s
expectation for excellence and their perception of actual service delivered. The execution
of an event is based on service standards that are set for the success of a particular event.
If the given standards are achieved the success of the event is considered very high. in
addition to services, the quality of the event can be measured by the activities included in
the event to enhance the interest of the viewers. For high service quality administration
needs to review implementation of their plans and strategies time to time during the event
so that aim of the event can be achieved.
3. Productivity

It is one of the most important measures of success of an event. The key to productivity is
twofold: half planning and half hard work. Between the two, anybody can do anything one
set his mind to .
Reference ( CA increase BBL/05 PRIZE POOL bigbash.com.au. Retrieved on 15
December 2015)

BBL 2015 was not only non-stop thrilling enjoyment but also served as an important
step for the progress of the cricket. BBL is not a different format of cricket, it is a
different sport. It even deserves its own name – Crackit, say, or Trickit. Batsmen are truly
batters or, more precisely, batterers. It's just not cricket; and that's what makes it such a
crowd-puller. As a sport in its infancy, T20 is developing fast, requiring new ways of
playing and watching. Averages are the language of cricket; in T20, what is sought is the
match-turning burst.
Reference (http://livecrickethub.com/kfc-big-bash-league-2015-16-broadcasting-tv-
channels-info/)

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Big Bash League’s SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis of BBL 2015 will help formulate and implement a strategy, evaluate the
progress and make adjustment as necessary to stay on track of the event.

Reference (www.thecricketcontrast.com/services/business-swot-analysis/)

Strength

1. Excellent cricketing infrastructure in Australia (the stadiums are as good as you can get
anywhere in the world)

2.  Strong support for the respective city teams

3. Presence of T20 specialist international players

4. Quality of cricket being of the highest level, with no weak links in any of the teams
because of Australia’s strong domestic cricket structure

5. Long term association with top brands as the sponsor

6. Good media coverage and branding

Reference (www.thecricketcontrast.com/services/business-swot-analysis/)

Weaknesses

1. Absence of Indian Superstars in the league

2. Lack of interest in the Indian sub-continent which is the biggest and most lucrative market
for cricket

3. Some part of the League clashes with the Australian summer, thus making the top
Australian cricketers unavailable for the league.

Reference (www.thecricketcontrast.com/services/business-swot-analysis/)

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Opportunities

1. Expand into other cities which do not host international cricket like Canberra,

Gold Coast etc

2. Bring in more international superstars to cater to a global audience

3. If possible, adjust the dates so that the top Australian players are able to

play the entire season.

Reference (www.thecricketcontrast.com/services/business-swot-analysis/)

Threats

1. Threat from the other leagues like IPL which have a much greater fan base

2. Expanding the league to smaller cities may degrade the quality of players.

Reference (www.thecricketcontrast.com/services/business-swot-analysis/)

BIG BASH LEAGUE’S SERVICE QUALITY MANAGEMENT

The five dimensions of Big Bash League’s service quality are as follows:

TANGIBILITY

Tangibility is an area of service quality that refers to utilization of different tangible factors
necessary for execution of an event and thus contributing to the marketing of the event. Usually
the tangibles for sports event include appearance of equipment, material, venue, and other sports
products e.g. sports playing kits, uniforms, sport accessories, vehicles etc.

Reference ( http://staffweb.srk12.org/simons_m/presentations/Ch_04.pdf)

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BBL organizers arranged special tangibility services. For instance, BBL has struck partnership
with entertainment brands like Warner Brothers, allowing players to wear super hero uniforms
during games.

Reference (http://staffweb.srk12.org/simons_m/presentations/Ch_04.pdf)

.Tangibility of BBL will also includes stadium , sport accessories , medical , etc.

RELIABILITY

Reliability is the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results. In
case of a sports event it refers to the extent to which an organizer succeeds to perform promised
services.

Reference ( http://staffweb.srk12.org/simons_m/presentations/Ch_04.pdf)

BBL 2015 was conducted under the banner of KFC and administered by Cricket.

Reference
(Australiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%9316_Big_Bash_League_season)

All the operations of BBL 2015 were managed within the available resources although additions
were made by Cricket Australia to salary cap and prize money for the players.

Reference (Big Bash tweaks player rules smh.com.au. Retrieved on 3 December 2015.)

Reference (INCREASE BBL|05 PRIZE POOL bigbash.com.au. Retrieved on 15

December 2015)

. Every task of BBL 2015 was performed by full collaboration of organizers and teams leading to
enhancement of reliability of service.

ASSURANCE
Assurance is the knowledge and courtesy of employees and their ability to convey trust and
confidence. Because of keen strategic predictions and synergistic partnerships, the Big Bash has
positioned itself to become one of the most successful professional sports leagues in the world (23)

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 Reference (www.forbes.com>sites>2016/01/22. Jason Belzer; Sports Money)

BBL 2015 provided non-stop entertainment from start to finish at affordable price, with
something to keep everyone in the family entertained. As well as fast paced cricket on-field,
great music, phenomenal fireworks, and unique boundary performances for each BBL 2015 club
come together to create a hugely entertaining experience – all packed into just a few short hours

Reference (http://www.bigbash.com.au/the-bbl/match-experience)

. Therefore, volunteers ‘arranged for the event .And the whole event was carried out successfully
with help of well aware team which had complete knowledge about the event.

RESPONSIVENESS

Responsiveness of a sport event is willingness to help customers and provide prompt service.

Reference (http://staffweb.srk12.org/simons_m/presentations/Ch_04.pdf)

From the moment the consumer inquires about a ticket to the occurrence of a sporting event,
Responsiveness is required for quality service management. For this purpose, the BBL 2015
involved various committees and teams of volunteers to give prompt response to the issues and
queries of the fans and audience particularly in case of any mishap. The supporting teams were
arranged around the stadium to give prompt response to the players and the viewers. Moreover,
web sites and social media accounts were also created for the convenience of viewers.

EMPATHY

The caring and individualized attention for customers is an important dimension of quality
service management. As a customer is the last but not the least participant of the event. The most
important service for the viewer at a sport event is affordable entertainment in jammed packed
stadiums. The arrangements of security and the affordable price of tickets kept the level of
services high during the event. With great music, great entertainment and plenty of chances for
fans to meet the players everyone enjoyed amazing empathy from the organizers of the BBL.

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Medical facilities were arranged for the players to provide them in time services. Further,
security was arranged in order to handle the terrorism threat, issues in conveniences. The staff
was well trained to deal with each kind of issue in a caring manner.

BIG BASH LEAGUE’S RISK MANAGEMENT

The Risk to a sport event includes two types of the risks:

BBL’s Internal Risks

These risks are also called as controllable risks. Internal risk to the BBL 2015s involved the
financial resources, availability of equipment and logistics. It may also include availability of
servers, digital resources and social media.

BBL’s External Risks

External risks are outside of the control of the project team and organization. The external risks
of BBL 2015 included terrorism, crowd mismanagement due to record crowds.

Special committees for risk management were constituted to minimize external and internal risks
to BBL 2015 leading to success of the event. Special Risk management team can be constituted
to control the risks and weaken the threats to the event.

ANALYSIS OF BBL’S SIZE, NATURE AND STRUCTURE

Types of Events

The term "event" in the sport and recreation industry usually refers to a situation where
participants, facilities, equipment and other resources are coordinated to enable a form of sport or
recreation to occur.

The events conducted by Sport/Recreation organizations include:

 Competitive or non-competitive sport and recreation events

 Courses

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  Promotional events
 Conferences
 Fundraising events

Australia BBL 2015-16 is a Promotional event which is not primarily organized for the benefit of
the player or participant. They are organized to promote the sport or form of recreation activity
to a target market with the underlying objective to increase participation. Whatever is the type of
event, the management skills and issues of an event are much the same and only the magnitude
and complexity differs (29).

Reference (http://www.leoisaac.com/evt/evt001.htm)

VISION

The BBL was established to attract and engage new fans (youth, families, female audiences) to
the sport of cricket and protect the future of the game. A wild, 6-week tournament with star
players, bright colored uniforms, a game experience specifically for kids, cheap prices, non-stop
entertainment and condensed, fast-paced action in jammed packed stadiums and a national
simulcast – that’s what Big Bash delivers.

Reference (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbelzer/2016/01/22/why-australias-big-bash-league-
is changing-the-professional-sports-paradigm/#58543153693c)

MISSION

Since its inception, the league has been a nothing short of a massive and resounding success
throughout Australia and amongst the global cricket community. Cricket is very popular in
Australia and abroad, but there was a significant part of its population that was not engaged in
the sport. This is due to an increasingly larger proportion of immigrants coming to Australia
from all over the world that don’t play cricket. The main objective of Cricket Australia was to
launch a marvelous and exciting event specifically targeted towards people who did not care
much for the sport .

Reference (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbelzer/2016/01/22/why-australias-big-bash-
league-is-changing-the-professional-sports-paradigm/#58543153693c)

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WBBL was also introduced in 2015-16 season. The goal of introducing WBBL was to make
cricket sport of choice for girls and women whether as viewers or players.

PARTICIPANTS

The Australian Big Bash League 2015 season was contested by eight teams over eight rounds,
beginning in late December 2015 and running through until the Big Final on January 24 2016.
The eight teams that contest the Big Bash League competition are: Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane
Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney
Sixers and Sydney Thunder.

Reference (http://www.theroar.com.au/cricket/big-bash-league-teams/)

COMMITTEES INVOLVED

The management committee (or sometimes referred to as the Board) of a sport organization is a
body of people who have been given powers and responsibilities by the members of the
organization, to manage the affairs of the organization. The number of people who are elected to
a board /committee can be any number as permitted by the organization’s rules. The number is
often between 8 and 10 persons, but can be more. TASKS OF COMMITTEE include

 planning the events, programs and services that the organization provides to its
membership / customers
 Overseeing the maintenance and development of the organization’s facilities
 Hiring key personnel involved in service delivery e.g. coaches, grounds staff, bar staff,
etc
 Developing policies to ensure high service quality management
 Making decisions about financial resources and issues
 Raising funds through fundraising activities
 Promoting the event in the community to attract membership/customers

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  Creating and maintaining communication systems to ensure the membership is aware of
forthcoming events, programs and services

Reference (http://www.leoisaac.com/boards/index.htm)

BBL’s committees include financial management committee, technical committee, Risk

management committee etc. for the performance of above mentioned tasks.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Audience of all age was attracted towards the event through adds on print media, electronic
media and social media. Viewers of all age were incited to see the event either in the stadiums or
live on broad cast media. These broadcasting T.V Channels include Sky Sports, STAR Sports,
Network Ten TV Channels, and Star Sports 4 TV Channels and Willow TV channel. Big Bash
League also introduced live radio commentary for cricket lovers on official radio coverage
website www.fairfaxradionews.com.au .

Reference (http://livecrickethub.com/kfc-big-bash-league-2015-16-broadcasting-tv-
channels-info/)

Network Ten’s BBL coverage has become a regular feature of Australian summers and attracted
an average audience of 1.13 million for each match in Australia this season, an 18% increase on
the previous season. A cumulative audience of 9.65 million watched the BBL matches in
Australia.

Reference (Season Wrap - BBL|05 bigbash.com.au. Retrieved on 25 January 2016)

Reference (BBL AND WBBL SOAR TO NEW HIGHSbigbash.com.au. Retrieved on 25

January 2016)

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The BBL 2015 Final was watched by an average audience of 1.79 million, which peaked at 2.24
million viewers. This was the first time that the ratings for a BBL match crossed the 2 million
mark.

ANALYSE THE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

THEORY CONSTRAINTS

The Theory of constraints (TOC) is a methodology for identifying the most important limiting
factor (i.e. constraint) that stands in the way of achieving a goal and stepwise improvement of
that constraint until it is no longer a constraint. There is at least one constraint in any event. BBL
involved many constraints and TOC was used as a focusing process to identify the constraint and
solve it.

Reference (www.leanproduction.com/theory-of-constraints.html)

BBL’s Constraints

BBL involved physical and non-physical constraints. Physical constraints were related to the
resources and facilities. Non physical constraints were environment related constraints. Major
constraints of BBL were related to Non availability of resources, financial loss, Injury to players,
Damage to facilities, availability of players for the event and Safety of environment for the
players as well as viewers.

Reference (http://www.leoisaac.com/evt/top071.htm)

The main financial constraint of BBL was the privatization of the event. Cricket Australia
explored a private ownership model before the competition was set up in its present guise in
2011, with the eight franchises valued at $50 million each and various suitors in India said to
be prepared to pay $26m for a 49 per cent stake. Later, a consortium involving Sydney-

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based businessman Darshak Mehta was willing to stump up $5m for a 49 per cent share in the
Sydney Sixers but learnt that was well short of the asking price. Despite the potential riches,
Cricket Australia reaffirmed its intention not to go down that path, having abandoned
privatization plans five years ago and stuck with a model of franchises being owned by the
states. Cricket Australia was of the opinion that the partial or complete privatization of the
franchises throws off massive amount of capital. The organizers definitely had people who were
interested in buying and there were some associations who were very keen to look at the value.
But when the organizers talked to them who were interested in buying it was pretty clear their
strategic objectives in investing in the league were different than that of Cricket Australia. The
private investors were not interested in protecting the international cricket. Cricket Australia was
interested to use the profit to develop the BBL Women, and to promote the men's game. So the
idea of short-venture privatization was not followed .

Reference (http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/big-bash/big-bash-league-201516-
multimilliondollar-franchises-nows-the-time-to-privatise-argues-players-chief-20160112-
gm44ax.html)

Availability of players was big constraint of BBL 2015. Most of the players of the eight teams
were unable to participate in the event due to their test duty or national or international duty as
many other games held during the same days of summer season.  Joe Burns missed most of the
first half of the season due to Test duty.  Faulkner and Maxwell were unavailable for the squad
of Melbourne Stars during second half of the tournament. Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh of
Perth Scorchers missed most of the first half due to Test duty. In the same team Mitch Marsh and
Nathan Coulter-Nile were unlikely to play much due to national duty.

Reference (http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/big-bash/big-bash-league-201516-
season-guide-and-predictions-20151216-gloonw.html)

Bottleneck Theory

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A bottleneck (resource) is a resource with capacity less or equal to demand. A bottleneck activity
is an activity that effectively limits the capacity of the entire process.

Identifying and minimizing the bottlenecks is key to the success of the process. The continuous
availability of the resources and maintenance of all requirements and accessories essential for the
execution of big bash league 2015 led to minimum bottle necks in the league. The Finical
resources to conduct BBL were important bottle neck, which was managed by good sponsor ship
and contribution of stake holders for execution of event. The availability of players was another
important bottle neck. The squads of BBL were selected according to availability of the players.
Reference (http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/big-bash/big-bash-league-201516-season-
guide-and-predictions-20151216-gloonw.html)

OPERATIONS

The operation of the event comprised of the cricket matches played among eight teams. This
season featured 8 super T20 sides fighting it out over a period of 8 rounds, for the ultimate gold
i.e. the Big Bash Trophy. On the basis of the points of eight rounds 4 teams were knocked out of
the fight and 4 were selected for the semi finals. The tournament began on 17th December 2014
and went on till late January, with the grand finale on January 24 2016. 32 matches among the
eight teams were played for 20 over’s by each team. On 21st & 22nd January two semifinals were
played. And finally the winners of semifinals i.e. Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder fought
for the Big Bash trophy at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 24 th January 2016. Sydney thunder won
the final by 3 wickets. The prize money and trophy was awarded to the winner .

Reference (http://www.espncricinfo.com/big-bash-league2015 16/content/series/897689.html?

template=Fixtures)

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CONCLUSION

The Australia Big Bash League 2015 was held in Australia among eight cricket teams. The event
was highly organized and held successfully without any serious mishaps. All the days of the
event provided thrilling enjoyment to the spectators at a reasonable cost, hereby making summer
vacation days memorable for the 16-60 years aged people. The tournament was played among 8
teams in 35 days. The final match held between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars at
Melbourne Cricket Ground and won by Sydney Thunder by 3 wickets. The participant teams
were awarded with prize money and winner was awarded with cash prize and trophy at the end
of the event. The BBL 2015 seasons attracted an average audience of 1.13 million for each match
in Australia this season, an 18% increase on the previous season. A cumulative audience of 9.65
million watched the matches in Australia, out of which 39% were females. The successful event
was the result of the combined efforts of the whole management team. The risk factors were
analyzed and steps were taken to reduce the threats in timely manner.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Following are the recommendations for the Australia BBL which can help out the administration
to improve upcoming season of Australia BBL.

1. BBL administration should give equal opportunities to the sub-continental countries

players to ensure their participation in BBL
2. The crowd management is a big issue observed during Australia BBL 2015-16. As in
most of the matches the fans stuck out around the stadium even after the start of the
match.
3. The event is not marketed in the international media; its marketing should be expanded to
promote the event on international level, attracting cricket lovers from all over the world.
4. The sitting arrangements and capacity for the spectators should be revised and improved
according to the audience strength.

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 5. The security around stadium border should be increased to avoid the interference of
spectators during the play.
6. The sponsorship to Australia BBL should be extended to the international level that
would help to promote this event.
7. The schedule of the BBL should be revised as some part of BBL clashes with Australian
summer, due to which some big cricketers are unavailable for BBL.
8. As Women Big Bash League was commenced in BBL 2015, BBL should also be
initiated for other teams e.g. Blinds cricket team

FUTURE PROSPECTUS

Cricket Australia released BBL 2016-17 schedule, with 35 games in 39 days to broadcast with all
matches live and exclusively by TEN or ONE. In total 8 teams participate in Big Bash 2016
league which is like Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart and Brisbane. The semifinals
will be played on Thursday, January 24 and Friday, January 25 with the greatest final of the club
to host the Grand Final Sunday, January 28, 2016. The best commentary team is also back for the
BBL 2016-17 season, directed by Mel McLaughlin AM and Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Panting
including AO, AM Mark Waugh, Damien Fleming, Mark Howard and Andy Maher. Most
commentators will be announced in the coming
months.

Reference (http://www.bigbash2016.com/2015/07/big-bash-league-2015-16-schedule-
kfc.html)

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