Voges, Henriques back expanded Big Bash League

Adam Voges and Moises Henriques, captains of Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers respectively, have thrown their support behind the competition's decision to expand ahead of its seventh edition next year.

Cricket Australia announced on Friday that each team would play 10 games next season, two more than the first six editions of the tournament, taking the regular season programme from 32 to 40 overall. The expectation is that the tournament will not be elongated on the calendar, but that franchises will be encouraged to take matches to new cities in their states.

Saturday's BBL final is the 20th sellout of this season's 35 games, with Perth Scorchers one of three clubs - alongside Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat - to sell every ticket to their home games. Hobart Hurricanes fell just short.

Voges described the news, given such excellent crowds, as "inevitable", while Henriques - who "had no idea it was coming" and found out on Twitter on Friday morning - said: "I'm sure the guys will love it. It's fantastic, and to be playing more games under this sort of pressure, at this standard is only a good thing for state cricket."

"[It's a positive] As long as it doesn't extend the season too much, but our last four games were played over 20 days or so, so there is enough time there to get a couple of extra games in," Voges said. "We have sold out all our home games, so you'd hope that would be the same result."

CA is considering playing more daytime and twilight games, as well as having more days with two matches.

"Personally I feel the BBL is the easiest part of the season for cricketers in terms of how you pull up with your body," Henriques said. "The Shield season is harder, backing up for four days in a row. I feel they could compress the tournament even more, getting 10 games into the same amount of time we play now. I don't see it being a huge issue, but we'll find out next year."

Voges was not supportive, however, of CA's discussions over naming the venue for the final in advance, although this is unsurprising ahead of a final at his team's homeground, the WACA. Currently, the teams that finish first and second host the semi-finals. The highest-placed team to make the final hosts it. Scorchers finished top in the regular season.

"I hope not," Voges said. "We played a home final in Canberra a few years ago which was great because we won it, but I'd certainly have liked to have played here. No, I'd like to see the finals stay in the home state."