Sydney Thunder wicketkeeper Sam Billings has questioned the BBL introducing a designated hitter rule for next season, fearing it risks disrupting the tactics of the T20 game.
For the past few summers the BBL has been contemplating the new rule, which would permit each team to name a player in their XI who could bat without needing to field.
As it stands, overworked Test players only briefly feature in the BBL each summer - if at all - but the likes of Travis Head or Marnus Labuschagne could be tempted to play more frequently if they aren't having to strain themselves in the field.
The rule could also help prolong the careers of older batters such as the Adelaide Strikers' Chris Lynn.
But Billings has warned the player replacing the designated hitter should not be able to bowl, fearing that could hurt the tactical side 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.
"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.
"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."
Billings was no fan of the BBL's defunct X-Factor Player rule, which was used for two summers from 2020 and operated similarly to the IPL's Impact Player rule.
That rule allowed a player to be substituted out of a game and replaced with someone previously named on an extended team sheet.
"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."
The BBL has been consulting players for about 18 months on the designated hitter rule, and is expected to formally announce details by the end of this season.
Reigning runners-up the Thunder slipped to 0-2 on Saturday, but 34-year-old Billings looked in fine touch against the Sixers, notching 51 runs off 28 balls.
"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.
