The coin toss was replaced by the more ‘traditional’ bat flip in the Big Bash League.

As Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers prepared to clash at the Gabba on Wednesday, captains Chris Lynn and Colin Ingram came out for the toss and were greeted by former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden with a redesigned bat for the flip – a practice common in children’s backyard cricket.

The bat has a ‘hills’ and a ‘flats’ side with organisers promising no distinct advantage on the flip.

“For me it’s a great moment which reflects what BBL is about,” said Kim McConnie, Cricket Australia’s head of the Big Bash League.

“Some people don’t like change but I’d also challenge people to say when was the last time anyone watched the coin toss or really focused on it to a great extent? Now we are making it much more relevant to families, we are creating a moment which is much more fitting with kids.”

The Big Bash first introduced flashing stumps which light up when the bails are dislodged. The league was also the first to experiment with player microphones – with commentators chatting with players – and helmet cameras.