Overview
- Teams may pre-nominate a designated batter and a designated fielder before the toss; the batter only bats, the fielder only fields and may keep wicket, neither may bowl, and they swap at the innings break.
- Use of the option is voluntary, so clubs can name a standard XI, and the change applies only to the men’s BBL as the WBBL remains under review.
- BBL executive Alistair Dobson says the measure expands strategy and helps keep explosive batters and elite fielders involved more often across the season.
- Ricky Ponting and Glenn Maxwell backed the shift, highlighting benefits for veteran hitters like Chris Lynn, opportunities for young fielders, and workload relief for Test regulars such as Travis Head.
- The rule contrasts with the IPL’s Impact Player by requiring pre-match designation, enforcing the swap at the interval, and restricting designated players’ roles rather than allowing flexible in‑game substitution.