Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) has replaced the traditional coin toss with a bat flip for the upcoming season.

The new season, which will begin from December 19, will feature a new rule where captains will call either ‘hills’ or ‘flats’ instead of ‘heads’ or ‘tails’.

"For me it's a great moment which reflects what BBL is about," Sky Sports quoted Cricket Australia's head of BBL Kim McConnie. “The bat flip, which is more commonly used in backyard cricket. 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?

He added: "Now we are making it much more relevant to families — we are creating a moment which is much more fitting with kids. You'd be surprised at the science that's gone into this. It is a specially weighted bat to make sure that it is 50-50. I've got it from great authority at our [bat maker] Kookaburra that this is a tested and weighted bat to deliver that equity.”

According to reports, a modified bat will be used for that purpose. First match of the 2018-19 season of the BBL will be played between defending champions Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat at The Gabba in Brisbane.