Christmas Day has always been a day to spend time with family, indulge in some delicious food, play some backward cricket and open up a brand-new Lynx Africa gift pack.
But could a Big Bash game add to the festivities for Aussie cricket fans?
Sports such as the NFL and NBA hold multiple games on December 25th, giving fans in the United States plenty of entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening.
Australia have never been a country that have embraced sport on Christmas Day, but that will all change this year with an NBL fixture between Sydney and Melbourne at Qudos Bank Arena.
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The decision received plenty of support from Australia hoops fans, with the match to be the first professional sports game to ever be played on Christmas Day.
Cricket Australia are yet to join in on the action, but it seems to be inevitable that they will hold Christmas BBL matches in the coming years.
Aaron Finch – one of the most experienced players in the competition – isn’t completely opposed to the idea, but doesn’t know if he will be around to partake in it.
“Well with it not being this year and not having a huge amount of time left in my career, I’m not sure I’ll be around for it,” he told SEN Mornings.
“I think eventually it will happen. I’m not sure where I sit on it, to be honest.
“It’s such a special time for families to be together and I think playing Christmas Eve and Boxing Day there’s obviously a Test match followed by a Big Bash game that night, there’s still a lot of content in and around there.
“I think the way that it’s set up at the moment is fine.”
With such a hectic schedule for both domestic and international cricketers at this time of year, it’s understandable why players might be hesitant to give up more time with their families.
But sport is all about business and if the NBL finds success in their first attempt to hold a Christmas game, Cricket Australia may have no choice but to look into the idea.
This year’s BBL campaign has started off with plenty of drama across the competition, with injuries and record-low scores dominating the headlines.
Finch’s side, the Renegades, have started the season in strong form after struggling in recent campaigns, with the former Aussie skipper shining with the bat on Sunday night against the Thunder.
“I think adding a bit of experience around the group has really helped that,” he said.
“To go 2-0 is a really good start I think, it’s the first time in a few years that we’ve done it.
“Winning those close games is so important, particularly at the start of the year because you don’t want to leave too much at the back end when you get in situations where you need to win five from six.
“It’s no guarantee, but it’s a nice feeling around the group.”
