The Big Bash

[Pies4shaw]

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/smith-thrills-bumper-scg-crowd-with-sizzling-knock-20200125-p53up5.html

"... After fellow Aussie star Aaron Finch survived three dropped catches to hit a ton and help the visitors to 5-175, the Smith-inspired Sixers always looked in complete control during the run chase.

"He's the best player in the world for a reason,'' Finch said of Smith.

"What he has done in the game in terms of bringing kids through the gate ... he had the courage to change his technique and game based on what he thought was right, not what other people think was right, and people can really resonate with that.

"People can see how much hard work he's put in. He's an unbelievable player.''

[Donny]

The Scorchers won the toss and elected to bat in Perth.

[K]

[K]

Is the Big Bash set for a big crash?

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/is-the-big-bash-set-for-a-big-crash-20200124-p53ueq.html

"The Big Bash has issues, and they need to be addressed now or it will die.

In just three short years since the astronomical highs of the summers of 2015-16 and 2016-17, its potency as a summer force has fallen alarmingly.
...

As I write, tennis' Australian Open is enjoying another bumper year.

And cricket administrators should look at the raging success of the tournament as they map out the future of the Big Bash and, perhaps, the whole Australian cricketing summer.
...

I was talking to a Cricket Australia official about crowds for Sydney Sixers matches and he made a great point. He told me many families attend one match a summer. In an eight-match season, that's four home matches to choose from. In a 14-match season, that's seven to choose from – it thins the crowd out.
...

There's simply not enough star power nor firepower in the teams. Heroes and villains make the world go around.

It’s not politically correct to say this, but Chris Gayle was the bomb in the Big Bash."

[Pies4shaw]

Thunder needs another 48 from 40 with 10 wickets in hand. Something catastrophic would have to happen for the Thunder to lose this.

[K]

[Pies4shaw]

22 needed off 20. Hale is out.

[Pies4shaw]

Khawaja just cut it straight behind him to the keeper and ran himself out.

[K]

Oh, I guess this means Khawaja has not nicked off with zero footwork.

[Pies4shaw]

12 required from the last over, after a 2-run penultimate over.

[Pies4shaw]

Ferguson gets 2 from ball 1.
Ferguson 1 gets from ball 2. 9 needed from 4.
Morris hits a 6 from the third. 3 from 3, now.
Morris hits a 4 from the 4th. Thunder win and presently fifth.

[K]

Well, that was almost Stars-like.

Meanwhile...

'... the PCB revealed to The Age on Sunday night that Rauf, who has also been impressive in two Twenty20 matches against Bangladesh (1-32 and 1-27) in Lahore, would leave for Australia on Tuesday once the three-match series was over.

"Haris Rauf will be returning to Melbourne on 28 Jan to feature in the remaining BBL matches for his side," a PCB spokesman said.'


(On Sunday night? We haven't reached Sunday night yet, have we?)

[K]

And

"The Melbourne Renegades’ ability to turn over their list this off-season will be limited, with the majority of the wooden-spooners’ squad contracted for next summer."

(The Age)

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

Hurricanes going great 0-210 19 overs wow like them to win to eliminate heat and Perth

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

Canes 1-217 excellent innings now to bowl out adl I think as thunder won today if hurricanes win then that takes out Perth and heat