#bbl04

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Sports Banter's BBL04 Best XI

The fourth edition of the KFC Big Bash League has been run and won by Perth Scorchers after their thrilling 4-wicket win against Sydney Sixers. Sports Banter have picked their best XI (inc 12th man) of this year’s season. Do you agree with the side picked?

1. Tim Ludeman (+) (Adelaide Strikers) 9 innings, 253 runs @ 31, SR 142, two 50s, HS: 92*, 6 catches, 1 stumping 

After a lean BBL03 campaign that saw him accumulate just 84 runs from six matches @ 21, the hard-hitting right-hander burst onto the BBL04 scene in the very first match with an extraordinary 92* off 44 balls (9 fours, 5, sixes) against the Melbourne Stars. Although he didn’t manage to reach those heights again throughout the competition, he became a danger man to opposition bowling attacks, proving an imposing opening partner to Craig Simmons.

Ludeman’s 33 ball 54 against Hobart Hurricanes was his next best innings. He claimed seven dismissals behind the stumps including a stumping, although his glove-work wasn’t the only skills that impressed, his David Attenborough and John Howard impersonations were top notch too.

2. Michael Klinger (Perth Scorchers) 10 innings, 326 runs @ 36, SR 129, one 100, one 50, HS: 105*, 4 catches

South Australia and Adelaide Strikers’ loss became Western Australia and Perth Scorchers’ gleeful gain at the commencement of season 14/15. The three state, 34-year old journeyman has proved to many that he has plenty left to give in all formats.

Without the Scorchers’ two leading run-scorers from BBL03, Simon Katich and Craig Simmons, Klinger couldn’t have plugged the gap left by them any better. Known for his workman-like approach, the right-hander played the anchor and aggressor role throughout BBL04. After combining with Shaun Marsh once again at the top of the order in the Big Final, Klinger finished atop the Big Bash leading runs table.

His 105* lit up the tournament against the Melbourne Renegades, proving to be one of the moments of the season. Boasting a plethora of leadership experience, Klinger no doubt has added to that aspect of the Scorchers’ game as well as taking some sharp catches and exhibiting elite athleticism in the outfield.

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3. Kevin Pietersen (Melbourne Stars) 8 innings, 293 runs @ 41, SR 122, three 50s, HS: 67*, 4 catches

The KP show rolled into BBL04 and unsurprisingly it wasn’t without its usual antics. We saw everything from the outspoken Englishmen; dropped catches, switch hits, revealing interviews, a first ball duck, a holiday mid tournament, power hitting and even an over.

To no one’s surprise he let his mouth and bat do the talking. He began the tournament with a hard-fought 66. At 34 and seemingly over the nagging knee problems that hampered his cricketing output in the last 18 months, many including himself wondered what England cricket would be like with him back in the frame.

Despite a somewhat spontaneous tell-all interview with Ricky Ponting, the response from the ECB only confirmed their stance, one the cricketing public already knew.

4. Chris Lynn (Brisbane Heat) 8 innings, 243 runs @ 30, SR 148, one 50, HS: 81

The explosive Queenslander at times played a lone hand in the Heat’s top order in BBL04, playing the aggressive way that has seen him earn two T20 international appearances.

No doubt after another impressive tournament, Lynn’s name will once again be in the T20 selectors minds come the next opportunity.

The height of his BBL campaign came against the Hobart Hurricanes where he smashed 81 off just 35 balls, although his season could have been considerably better had he gone on with three scores over 25.

5. Aiden Blizzard (Sydney Thunder) 6 innings, 240 runs @ 60, SR 126, two 50s, HS: 80*

The bit-hitting Blizzard sure came to play in BBL04, playing a variety of roles for the Thunder. Given the opportunity to bat in the middle order, Blizzard showed his short format worth with a couple of breath-taking innings. Often the knock on T20 batsmen is their inability to perform consistently. Blizzard remained not out both times he made fifty as well as scoring two forties

His unbeaten 42-ball 80 against the Sixers very nearly got his side over the line from a dead and buried position.

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6. Jordan Silk (Sydney Sixers) 10 innings, 272 runs @ 54, SR 136, two 50s, HS: 69

After a disappointing BBL03 campaign that saw Silk manage just 77 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 93, pressure was on for him to secure a spot in the Sixers’ lineup.

He began brightly with four starts in five innings including three not outs, however it wasn’t until the last two matches of the home and away fixture that we saw the best of Silk. He proved himself against the Strikers and Thunder blasting 67 and a match winning 69*.

To cap off a productive season, Silk arguably took the catch of the summer for the second year running.

7. Johan Botha (c) (Adelaide Strikers) 8 innings, 7 wickets @ 26, economy 6.7, BB: 2/27, 7 innings, 117 runs @ 29, SR 148, three not outs, HS: 41*

A brave captain, Botha led the Strikers with both bat and ball, limiting runs scored in the powerplay overs, as well as peeling of some brutal hitting down the order.

The Strikers were the only team to play two front-line spinners for the majority of the tournament. Adam Zampa and Botha’s 16 wickets came at an economy rate of six and half.

8. John Hastings (Melbourne Stars) 9 innings, 16 wickets @ 15, economy 7.8, BB: 3/24

The Melbourne Stars seemed to have an abundance of fast-bowling options in BBL04, but to Hastings’ credit he played every game and only on one occasion went without a wicket.

His variety and discipline allowed Stars skipper Cameron White to bowl him in all different scenarios. On occasion we saw the big-hitting Duke at full flight, especially against the Scorchers where he unleashed three consecutive sixes.

He eventually pipped Jason Behrendorff to claim the most wickets in BBL04.

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9. Andrew Tye (Perth Scorchers) 10 innings, 14 wickets @ 18, economy 6.8, BB: 4/18

A great cricketing story, Tye 27, has risen from humble beginnings to have now played domestic cricket in all formats. A creative bowler who has plenty of self belief, Tye came into his own in BBL04. Plenty of  wickets and impressive death bowling made him impossible to drop even when Nathan Coulter-Nile returned from injury.

He became an integral part of the Scorchers’ success and in many people’s views was the find of the tournament.

10. Adam Zampa (Adelaide Strikers) 8 innings, 9 wickets @ 22, economy 6.4, BB: 2/26

The exciting young leg spinner has proven he is not afraid to give the ball some air, a welcome sight for all Australian cricket lovers. Often mentioned in the same breath as Queensland and Brisbane Heat leggy Cameron Boyce, Zampa took one less wicket than Boyce although boasted an economy rate one and half runs less.

Splitting the spin bowling load with Johan Botha in all formats, Zampa has to be considered for higher honours at some stage.

11. Jason Behrendorff (Perth Scorchers) 10 innings, 15 wickets @ 16, economy 6.2, BB: 4/22

The tall lumbering left-armer had a brilliant season, attracting plenty of attention that no doubt will see his name thrown up for future series’.

Behrendorff proved a handful for opposition batsmen, regularly striking in the early powerplay, then finishing his spell in the latter end of the innings, often hovering around the six runs an over mark.

The West Australian joins a growing list of impressive left-arm fast bowlers in the Australian cricket scene, question is how long will he have to bide his time to get an opportunity.

Being named the Domestic Cricketer of the Year highlighted to many his strong form in the longer versions of the game.

12th man. Jacques Kallis (Sydney Thunder) 8 innings, 235 runs @ 39, SR 136, three 50s, HS: 97*, 5 wickets @ 32, economy 7, BB: 2/18

Despite nearing 40 years of age and not looking in peak physical condition, Kallis provided plenty of highlights during his time with Sydney Thunder.

A breathtaking 97* in game one was certainly a sign of things to come for the legendary South African, as he proceeded to past fifty twice more.

He was serviceable with ball in hand as well, although despite being named the player of the tournament, just missed out on a starting place in our BBL04 Best XI.

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Scorchers snatch Big Bash title in thriller

Perth Scorchers have etched themselves into BBL history as indisputably the greatest franchise in the competition’s short history, after they recorded their second consecutive title victory in their fourth straight Big Bash final, against Sydney Sixers at Manuka Oval on Wednesday night.

The final-ball epic was the perfect way to conclude the six-week tournament that exemplified the growth and rise of domestic cricket in Australia.

After Sixers skipper Moises Henriques won the toss and led his side to a competitive 5/147, the Scorchers looked well in control going at better than a run a ball, without the loss of a wicket at the halfway mark.

Tight bowling led to a run rate that ball by ball snuck away from the Scorchers, despite wickets in hand. It was all set for a frenetic finish, one that was fitting for one last over of brilliance from retiring legend Brett Lee. He did everything right, although a missed run out opportunity proved to be the telling moment, bringing about jubilant and equally despairing scenes.

At the top of the Sixers’ innings, international duo Michael Lumb and Riki Wessels failed to lay a substantial platform, both dismissed within the first three overs.

Danger man Nic Maddinson had his fair share of fortune, edging to the boundary on a couple of occasions. The hard-hitting left-hander never looked like getting going, Yasir Arafat the man to remove him with a perfectly executed inswinging yorker.

The Sixers looked in further trouble at 4/49 when a bewildered Jordan Silk was on the end of a Brad Hogg special that spun through the gate.

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Class and poise was needed in order for the Sixers to recover from their poor start, a task willingly accepted by Henriques and Ryan Carters.

The pair put on 98 runs from 64 deliveries, lifting the Sixers’ total to a defendable 5/147. Henriques led from the front powering his way to a knock of 77 that ended run out on the final ball of the innings. Carters provided the support with an important unbeaten 35.

Jason Behrendorff capped his stellar season off, yielding 19 runs and a wicket off his four overs. Just over a week from his 44th birthday, and potentially an IPL contract, Bradley Hogg finished with typically economical figures of 1/25 off four.

Shaun Marsh and Michael Klinger once again got the Scorchers off to a promising start at the top of the order, moving the score along at a run a ball approaching the ten over mark.

The experience of Brett Lee got the better of Klinger as he failed to get all of a slower ball, comfortably caught at deep mid-wicket by Sean Abbott for 33.

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After Klinger’s departure the Scorchers camp would have had one eye on the required run rate and the other on their captain Adam Voges and Marsh, still relatively confident of a second consecutive BBL title.

Boundaries proved hard to come by in the following three overs, Voges’ attempt to break the shackles came unstuck, as a Doug Bollinger bouncer was skied and well caught by a fast-moving Carters.

Scoreboard pressure to the tune of twelve an over soon filtered into the minds of those at the crease, Marsh’s brilliant innings of 73 came to a close after he fell five meters short of the rope against Nathan Lyon, Abbott once again accepting the catch. Lyon then removed Ashton Turner two balls later, Abbott the beneficiary for the third time.

The Stadium was abuzz as the game entered its final overs with the game teetering on a knife’s edge. New man to the crease Nathan Coulter-Nile took no time to settle in, blasting Nathan Lyon’s final delivery over the rope, making the equation eight off the final over.

Who else but Brett Lee was entrusted in bowling the last over. The fairy-tale finish to a remarkable career was set. Michael Carberry had no sense of theatre, nonchalantly ramping Lee’s first delivery to the right of the keeper for four.

Three balls in, the trademark Lee chainsaw celebration came out for the final time, yorking Coulter-Nile who adventurously went after another ramp.

One run was required off the last two balls as Sam Whiteman nervously strolled to the crease. Lee then produced a memorable penultimate delivery, tearing through the keeper-batsman first ball. His very last delivery in competitive cricket shaped as one of his most important. He was on a hat-trick and needed to bowl a dot ball to send the game to a Super Over.

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What transpired sent players and spectators alike into a contrasting emotional frenzy. Yasir Arafat bunted the ball to mid-wicket, and looked certain to be short of his ground, although a fumbled run out attempt at the bowlers end denied the Sixers of victory and handed the Scorchers their second consecutive Big Bash title.

Shaun Marsh was awarded the player of the final for his 73, as the Scorchers joined the Sixers in representing Australia in the Champions League tournament later this year.