Over the last three seasons, the WBBL has grown to new heights with strong broadcast and streaming figures and impressive attendances at the grounds.

CA have aimed for the WBBL to be separate to the men's with the fact the men’s and women’s World T20 in 2020 will be hosted as separate events.

However, CA has had to negotiate fixtures for the BBL and WBBL in an already busy summer schedule.

Speaking on Melbourne radio station SEN, Sutherland said the time was right for WBBL to feature as a standalone competition.

“In 2019-20 the women’s T20 Big Bash League will move into the October/November period,” Sutherland said.

“It will be the primary cricket that is on through that period.

“The reason why it’s not this year is because there is a World T20 event for the women in the Caribbean.”

The move would mean women’s cricket is the first on free-to-air television for future summers, with 24 games set to be broadcast by both the Seven Network and Fox Sports.