BBL 2021-22 will take place without DRS due to logistical challenges imposed by Covid

Due to border limitations in Australia as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cricket Australia has cancelled plans to incorporate Decision Review System into the upcoming Big Bash League. According to a cricket.com.au report, Big Bash officials were planning to introduce a version of the DRS for the first time this year, but the logistical challenge of obtaining government exemptions for up to 15 UK-based operators to enter Australia and then moving them and their equipment around the country has proven to be a big challenge.

“It just got to a point where we couldn’t reliably be clear that we could do all 61 games in the way the competition would warrant,” Dobson told cricket.com.au. “With the need to bring anywhere up to 10 or 15 extra people from the UK to operate it and move that level of additional cameras and infrastructure around the country… it just got to a point where we couldn’t reliably be clear that we could do all 61 games in the way the competition would warrant.”

“It’s a mix of people, technology, time, and preparation. Introducing something for the first time in a normal year will be a difficult endeavour, so adding it to all of the other challenges we’re dealing with is just a step too far”.

For example, ball-tracking equipment necessitates the installation of many cameras at various locations across the venue and takes approximately 24 hours to set up before it can be used in a match. This is difficult to achieve because numerous BBL games are played on the same day at different venues, necessitating extensive travel and logistical arrangements. Furthermore, the fact that the DRS will be utilised for both the Men’s and Women’s Ashes makes it more difficult for the BBL to use the technology due to a lack of operators.