The Big Bash is back.
After Australia's record summer of test cricket against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, attention has turned to Australia's domestic T20 competition, with the most enthusiasm since the turn of the decade.
The competition is averaging a touch under 22,000 fans attending BBL matches per game this season, outperforming last year's average of 21,500, and is the highest crowd figures seen since the 2017-18 season, which had an average of just over 26,500.
Evidently, the momentum that gathered from a tense and drama-filled BGT series has translated into fans turning to the domestic league again after a troublesome period for the competition.
The BBL is only in its 14th rendition, however has already experienced extreme highs and sour lows.
80,883 people attended the MCG Melbourne derby between the Renegades and Stars in January 2016, while just two days earlier, Travis Head stunned the Sydney Sixers with three consecutive sixes in the final over to reach a breathtaking century and seal his Adelaide Strikers' victory. The competition was rife with storylines, entertainment and high-quality cricket.
The next season, the BBL would peak at a crowd average of over 30,000 per game for the first and only time in its history.
Fast forward five years later, and the Big Bash is in a rut. Two consecutive COVID-impacted years means the league averages just approximately 9,000 and 7,000 fans per game, but prior to that crowd attendance had decreased to below 19,000.
Extended seasons that finish after the school holidays and strange innovations to captivate younger audiences are struggling to be seen as more than just a gimmick, so as the BBL enters its first season without COVID protocols, the league receives an average of just 16,720 fans embrace the sport each game.
So how did Cricket Australia win the hearts of fans back into taking the Big Bash seriously once again?
Initially, the fixture was reduced back down to a 40-game home and away season, with three cut-throat finals.
Previously, BBL seasons had been as short as the BBL14 fixture, but in attempts to capitalise financially on its raging success, the league extended its fixture to 61 matches and introduced a wildcard finals place, meaning five out of eight teams were advancing to compete for a championship.
The longer series impacted the availability of international and hometown stars, while fans lost interest as the extended fixture and additional finals spot diluted the entertainment and competitiveness.
But with a fresh broadcast deal came a revamped approach to the league, and it's clearly leaving a lasting, positive impact on supporters and players alike.
The high-profile names of David Warner and Sam Konstas have made the Sydney Thunder a must-watch team as both young and old display fireworks in the batting.
Steve Smith has even returned to suit up for the Sydney Sixers, blasting his way to 121 not out off just 64 balls, while Melbourne Stars veteran Glenn Maxwell is still captivating audiences with his unorthodox shots.
Jake Fraser-McGurk and Cooper Connolly's media traction have put bums in seats with the young duo making waves with their destructive hitting, albeit the former has had a form slump this season.
And it's not just players too. Fans are attending for the passion of their team, despite the stereotypical backlash that the BBL is tailored for children.
The Stars have seemingly risen from the dead to make their case for a finals berth after starting 0-5, while the Hurricanes are poised to take out the minor premiership despite a woeful first outing.
The Thunder provided goosebumps in a win dedicated to Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft who collided in the field and were concussed.
The Renegades pulled off a miraculous win after falling to 4/10 against the Scorchers.
And for once, Perth aren't outright favourites, with the end of a dominant era approaching.
The final nail in the coffin to prove the Big Bash is trending up was the free-to-air ratings on Monday night.
The BBL's Melbourne derby outperformed the opening night of the Australian Open on just free-to-air TV alone, despite the Australian Open featuring the matches of Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka.
The Big Bash may well and truly be back in the hearts of Australians.