The big hits and big surprises kept coming over the weekend as KFC T20 Big Bash League records were broken, including the fastest BBL half-century and the highest innings total in BBL history – which was then broken again 90 minutes later.
The BBL action continues over the New Year period, including the inaugural New Year’s Eve match at the newly-redeveloped Adelaide Oval and a double-header on New Year’s Day in Hobart and Sydney. These will be a big couple of games with the tournament still wide open. After two rounds last year, BBL|02 finalists Perth Scorchers had lost both their opening matches, while Brisbane Heat was sitting on one win and one loss.
BBL|03 Stats so far
Most Runs: 98, Luke Wright (Stars)
Most Wickets: 5, Jackson Bird (Stars)
Most Sixes: 6, Chris Lynn (Heat) and Luke Wright (Stars)
Most Total Boundaries (Sixes + Fours): 19 (13x4s + 6x6s), Luke Wright (Stars)
Highest Score: 85, Michael Hussey (Thunder)
Best Bowling (Innings): 4/31, Jackson Bird (Stars)
Average attendance: 18,663
Total attendance (current at 30 Dec): 130,638
Average national TV audience: 987,925
Melbourne Renegades (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat Etihad Stadium, Mon 30 Dec, 7.40pm
- The last time these two teams met was in last season’s semi-final. Heat 3/183 d Renegades 9/168 before they ultimately went on to take home the tournament trophy
- Quick James Pattinson will don the red to play his first match for the Renegades tonight
- Daniel Vettori will captain the Heat in place of James Hopes who is recovering from an abdominal muscle strain. This will be the first time he’s captained the Heat in his three seasons with the club
- The Heat’s batsmen are all in good nick, with four (Chris Lynn, Dan Christian, Joe Burns, and Craig Kieswetter) so far scoring half-centuries in BBL|03. Jos Buttler holds the Renegades highest individual score so far with 49
- Aaron Finch remains the leading run-scorer in the history of the BBL, smashing 638 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of almost 130 runs per 100 balls faced
- The Heat’s bowlers will be looking for redemption after they were unable to defend their record-total over the weekend. The Heat’s 3/209 on Saturday night was the highest innings total in BBL history, eclipsing the Melbourne Stars’ 7/208 against the Renegades on the first night of BBL|03, but that record now sits with the Hurricanes, who then successfully chased down the total with four balls to spare
- This will be the Renegades’ first home game of the season and will have the Renegades Xtreme Team show from 7.10pm, with Alaskan Jimmy Blaze set to backflip a snow mobile
- The Technical Committee have approved changes to Renegades squad with Daniel Harris and Matthew Gale having been passed fit to resume their places in the Renegades squad, while Jayde Herrick has been ruled out due to injury. Harris’ replacement Solomon Mire will subsequently be removed from the Renegades’ 18-player squad, however Gale’s replacement Andrew Fekete will retain his place in the Renegades squad as replacement for Herrick.
Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers Adelaide Oval, Tues 31 Dec, 7.10pm
- Last meeting: Scorchers 4/189 d Strikers 91 by 98 runs
- This will be the first time a BBL match has been played as a New Year’s Eve fixture. Fans will be treated to plenty of on-field action at the newly-redeveloped Adelaide Oval, as well as fireworks, aerial acrobats and a post-game light show choreographed to music with dancers
- Wicket maidens are rare in T20, but last week the Scorchers’ successfully defended 117 against the Melbourne Renegades thanks to some disciplined bowling from Yasir Arafat and Mitch Marsh. Arafat (3/15) opened his BBL campaign with a wicket maiden, then Marsh (2/15) did one better with a double-wicket maiden.
- All-rounder Mitchell Marsh also heads the Scorchers’ top run scorers (73 runs at an average of 73). Brother Shaun sits second with 68 runs
- Openers Michael Klinger and Alex Hales have established a powerful partnership at the top of the order. They are the Strikers’ leading run-scorers and have built a platform for the two batting innings played so far this season
Hobart Hurricanes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades Blundstone Arena, Wed 1 Jan, 1.45pm
- Last meeting: Renegades 3/103 d Hurricanes 9/102
- Ben Dunk now holds the fastest ever Big Bash League half-century, striking 50 from just 20 balls against the Heat on the weekend. Previously, Dunk had only raised his bat for a half-century just once in 17 T20 appearances
- Last weekend’s match was the first chance for fans to see the Hurricanes this season after their first match against the Strikers was rained out in Round 1. There was a lot for fans to cheer as the Hurricanes chased down a record total, beating the Heat with four balls to spare. The Hurricanes now hold the record for the highest innings total in BBL history (210)
- Doug Bollinger has been released from the Australian Test squad to play in upcoming BBL matches for the Hurricanes
- Bollinger will match up against James Pattinson and fellow Renegades bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan and Nathan Rimmington. Murali holds the tournament’s best economy rate (for bowlers who have bowled eight overs) with 4.50, while Rimmington is the Renegades’ highest wicket-taker after two matches in BBL|03 with 4 wickets (12.00 average, 6.00 economy rate)
Sydney Thunder (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars ANZ Stadium, Wed 1 Jan, 7.40pm
- Last meeting: Stars 8/145 d Thunder 132 by 13 runs
- Which Hussey brother will claim bragging rights in this New Year’s Day match?
- The Thunder came within 6 runs of victory over the weekend as Michael Hussey struck 85 from 56 balls. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the Thunder to break their losing streak, which now extends to 15 matches
- David Hussey’s consistency in the T20 format continues, chalking up another half-century against the Sixers last night. He sits third on the all-time T20 run scorers list with 5422 runs (teammate Brad Hodge is second on the list with 5706 runs).
- Carl Sandri has been a surprise packet for the Thunder after being elevated into the Thunder’s 18-player squad as Andrew Tye’s replacement. He’s proven handy with the bat and ball, including snaring Australian international players Phil Hughes and Steve Smith
- Nine Brits have signed up to a BBL club this season with teammates Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright matching-up against each other for the Thunder and Stars respectively
Stars name 13-man squad for Thunder clash: The Stars have made one change to their squad that had a mammoth 77-run win against the Sydney Sixers on Sunday night at the SCG. Talented all-rounder James Faulkner returns to the Australian squad today ahead of the 5th SCG Test thus is unavailable for selection. Batsman Rob Quiney replaces him in the 13. The Stars currently are sitting on the top of the BBL table with two strong wins from their first two matches.
The Melbourne Stars 13-man squad V Thunder: Cameron White ©, Jackson Bird, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Clive Rose, Clint McKay, Marcus Stoinis, Rob Quiney, Matthew Wade, Luke Wright (England).
Related articles
- Yasir Arafat leads Perth Scorchers to remarkable BBL win (cricketbadger.com)
- Melbourne Stars assemble all star coaching panel for BBL|03 (cricketbadger.com)
- James Faulkner to re-join Melbourne Stars BBL squad (cricketbadger.com)
- Big Bash kicks off with an English influence (cricketbadger.com)
- BBL: Melbourne Stars announce Community and Development Rookies (cricketbadger.com)
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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