Sydney Sixers skipper Moises Henriques has rejected Chris Lynn's claim that the Big Bash League season is too long, pointing out the IPL crams just as many games into a shorter period.
Brisbane Heat big-hitter Lynn took a swipe at Cricket Australia when he claimed that players were suffering burn out in the wake of their capitulation at the hands of the Melbourne Stars on Sunday.
"I think 14 games is too many," Lynn said.
"You do get a few breaks in between, here and there, but it just drags out.
"I don't want to be too soft or anything like that but that's just the vibe I'm getting."
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The BBL was this year expanded from 43 games (over 10 rounds) to 59 games (over 14 rounds) as part of the game's $1.1182 billion television deal with Fox Sports and Channel 7.
The current format is locked in for the duration of the six-year broadcast agreement which has seen the tournament extended by 13 days in 2018-19 compared to the previous year.
"I played eight IPLs now and all those IPL seasons are 14 games long and in less time than this," Henriques said.
"I'm used to doing it but other players who aren't used to playing T20 tournaments may struggle.
"I think we've had a decent draw, we've had six games away in a row, and now we've had five games at home in a row. Any sort of fatigue we've been feeling after that away trip, we've been been able to freshen up now."
The Sixers' home crowds have suffered a nose dive this year with an average of 16,404 people filtering through the gates in their first five home games.
Over the previous four seasons, the Sixers' average attendance has ranged from a low of 24,023 (in 2014-15) to a high of 27,956 (in 2015-16).
Henriques said he and his teammates weren't feeling the ill effects of the expanded competition and were fresh three games out from the finals.
"From a player's point of view, I'm still loving it," Henriques said.
"I have noticed the crowds aren't as high as what they were last year. I don't know if that's resonating with the TV ratings as well.
"I definitely notice the SCG isn't as full as it has been. But having said that you're spreading the crowds across seven (home) games rather than five."
