Sydney Thunder wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings has raised strong reservations about a proposed new Big Bash League (BBL) rule that could significantly alter the tactical balance of Twenty20 cricket, warning that the introduction of a designated hitter risks stripping away one of the game’s most important strategic elements.
The BBL has been exploring the possibility of implementing a designated hitter rule as early as next season, following internal discussions that have been ongoing for several years. Under the proposal, each team would be allowed to nominate a player in their XI who would be able to bat without being required to field. The concept is designed to entice elite batters—particularly those burdened by heavy international schedules or physical wear and tear—to feature more regularly in the competition.
Sydney Thunder’s Sam Billings, however, believes the idea comes with unintended consequences. Speaking after the Thunder’s 47-run defeat to the Sydney Sixers on Saturday night, the English star expressed concern that the rule could undermine the delicate balance between batting and bowling that defines the tactical intrigue of T20 cricket.
"I don't like that, to be honest," he said after the Thunder's 47-run loss to the Sydney Sixers on Saturday.
Billings’ concern centres on the possibility that the substitute for the designated hitter could also be permitted to bowl, effectively allowing teams to stack their line-ups with specialist batters while still maintaining a full complement of bowlers. In his view, this would remove the difficult selection decisions that are central to the game’s competitive depth.
"One really nice element to the game is how you have to pick an XI and you have to most of the time make the decision between playing an extra bowler or batter.
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"It's a really key part of the game, actually. It uncovers the well-balanced teams against the not-so-well-balanced teams. I think that's a really nice nuance to the game.
"Whereas if you can just have 15 blokes and you just go, 'We're going to have a smack-athon' ... there's nuance to the game, I don't think we want to necessarily lose that. That's just my personal opinion."
The designated hitter concept has been partly inspired by similar innovations in other leagues, most notably the Indian Premier League’s Impact Player rule. That regulation allows teams to substitute one player during a match, effectively giving sides greater flexibility to adjust their balance between batting and bowling depending on match conditions.
The BBL itself experimented with a comparable innovation in the form of the X-Factor Player rule, which ran for two seasons from 2020. That rule permitted teams to replace a player during the match with someone named on an extended squad list. While the aim was to increase excitement and tactical flexibility, the rule divided opinion among players, fans and commentators before being scrapped.
Billings was firmly opposed to that experiment, and his stance has not softened with time.
"I don't sit on the fence most of the time," Billings said.
"I was pretty vocal about the X-Factor Player as well, that they obviously have in the IPL. It is what it is, they've gone ahead with it, but I personally don't agree with it."
From the league’s perspective, the designated hitter rule offers several potential benefits. Australian Test stars such as Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne rarely feature heavily in the BBL due to international commitments and workload management. Allowing them to bat without fielding could make shorter, more frequent appearances feasible, boosting the competition’s star power and broadcast appeal.
The rule could also help extend the careers of veteran batters who remain valuable with the bat but struggle with the physical demands of fielding. Adelaide Strikers stalwart Chris Lynn is often cited as an example of a player who could benefit from such an arrangement, remaining a crowd-pulling presence at the crease while reducing injury risk.
Despite these advantages, critics argue that T20 cricket already favours batters heavily, and that further tilting the balance risks turning matches into one-dimensional hitting contests. Billings’ comments tap into a broader concern among purists that innovation should not come at the cost of strategic complexity.
The BBL has been consulting players, coaches and stakeholders for approximately 18 months regarding the proposed rule. While no final decision has been announced, the league is expected to formally outline its plans before the end of the current season, giving teams time to adjust their recruitment and selection strategies if the change is approved.
For Billings, the issue is not about resisting change for its own sake, but about preserving the core essence of the format.
His comments came despite a disappointing night for the Thunder, who slipped to 0-2 to start their campaign following the loss to their cross-town rivals. However, the 34-year-old Englishman provided a rare positive, producing a fluent knock of 51 from just 28 deliveries that showcased his timing and power.
The innings suggested Billings is entering the tournament in strong form, buoyed by a break following the conclusion of the English season.
"I'm feeling good, feeling pretty fresh after a bit of a break after the English season. I'm really looking forward to this year," he said.
As the BBL continues to search for ways to evolve and remain competitive in an increasingly crowded global T20 landscape, debates like this are likely to intensify. Innovations promise increased entertainment and commercial growth, but they also invite scrutiny from players who value the tactical depth that has long defined the format.
Whether the designated hitter rule ultimately enhances the spectacle or dilutes the strategy remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that voices like Billings’ ensure the conversation remains grounded in the fundamentals of the game, reminding administrators that cricket’s appeal lies not just in big hits, but in the nuanced decisions that shape every contest.
