PM'ed @Mr. Stinky Esq. yesterday and am taking up their advice and starting a thread (my first ever) in case anyone wants to join in on the discussion and follow leagues throughout 2022/23.I have a very off-topic question but I think there's probably a decent amount of overlap between soccer and cricket fans (if there are any cricket fans here) so this seems like a decent place to ask. If this possible digression leads anywhere, I'm happy to start another thread elsewhere. I'm somewhat interested in starting to follow cricket, is anyone equipped and willing to give poor ignorant me a primer on following cricket like the ones several of you so graciously did regarding European soccer? (Again, happy to take this elsewhere if anyone is so equipped and willing).
I watched the T20 World Cup this year and absolutely fell in love with the sport of cricket. Asked for a WillowTV subscription for Xmas, and my wife came through, lol. I'm still learning the sport but have done a good amount of research and hope to follow leagues throughout the year.
Australian's Big Bash League has recently started their season, and Pakistan's Super League begins in January.
I plan on subscribing in January for WillowTV with SlingTV. It is a monthly thing, and don't want to start the billing in December for just a couple of days. So on 01 Jan, hope to get started and catch some Big Bash League (Australia) action.
It seems there is a "Big 4" that compares to the likes of the "Big 4" in UEFA leagues (no, I'm not counting Ligue 1 these days in that 4). BBL (Dec - Jan, 61 games), Pakistan Super League (Jan - Feb, 34 games), Indian Premier League (March - May, 74 games), & Caribbean Premier League (Aug - Sep, 34 games). At least BBL also have a women's leagues too. Unlike football domestic leagues around the world, there is a "playoff" for the top teams of the table, and they battle it out for a championship.
IPL is considered the "big-time"/best league, and due to this, there is a little bit upcharge for these games versus just getting/buying the WillowTV app for your SmartTV, devices, and the like.
BBL is considered pretty good too, but they have hit a decline in viewership/attendance from when they first begin the T20 league, but have made attempts to build this back up with more foreign slot additions on their team.
IPL prohibited Pakistani players from playing in their league except from their debut season, but that seems set to change starting in 2023 (just in time!).
The PSL (Pakistan Super League) is a little different than normal leagues we're used to: the 6 teams are all owned by a group of investors, and not investors owning a team individually.
Rounding out the "Big 4" is the Caribbean Premier League, which is fascinating because it combines several island countries for "West Indies" and is their league.
Tours/series seem to be a big deal, but I haven't watched any of those yet. I liken them to a 3-game series in MLB with more at stake, but miss the nuances so far (hope to learn more).
England won the whole thing recently for the T20 World Cup, and their league is T20 Blast. I don't know much about them, but Willow claim to have rights to the England Cricket Board.
Most if not all games are accessible in English (and Hindi and Punjabi). ESPN+ also have the New Zealand league, but unsure what they are called.
Because the IPL is largely considered to be the best, with the highest average attendance, biggest purse winnings, etc., it seems to be pretty accessible to follow should one get access to their games. BBL too for the large English audience.
I haven't gotten into ODIs or full test matches yet; I reckon in time ODIs will garner more interest, but full multi-day test matches seem too much for me in my new-found interest.
From my understanding, these players often play year round for multiple teams and multiple competitions. It seems that at least in the T20 world, the World Cup and domestic leagues are king, though.
Here is a copy of a video @dirtynine posted in another thread, and the "sequel" to it for those interested:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWpbtLIxYBk
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0-3JlWWhyQ