BBL 05 2015/16

[The Mad Hatter]

I'll give you Hastings though he's get wickets as the Indians heavy-ho in the last 5-10 overs but Boland is tripe.

And if Starc, Cummins, Pattinson, Hazlewood and Lyon were playing, Australia would be chasing 200.

India must be wondering what they need to do because we've cleaned the floor with them with Australia Z.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Strikers and Renegades...

I'm putting $50,000 on the Renegades to win this one.

 

[Wookiedragon]

Strikers and Renegades...

I'm putting $50,000 on the Renegades to win this one.

For tonight only - Go the Strikers!

Surely not again this year, they HAVE top make the semi's this time...

 

[Keatoboy]

I'll give you Hastings though he's get wickets as the Indians heavy-ho in the last 5-10 overs but Boland is tripe.

And if Starc, Cummins, Pattinson, Hazlewood and Lyon were playing, Australia would be chasing 200.

India must be wondering what they need to do because we've cleaned the floor with them with Australia Z.

You have gotten your wish with Nathan Lyon, but I still persist that Scott Boland is better quality than you make him out to be.

We can't have Starc or Cummins due to injury, and I believe it makes perfect sense to be resting Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson as both have had injury/fitness troubles in the past.

I would hardly call this team 'Australia Z' with the likes of Steve Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell and others in the team.

 

[BLOWN8]

Gayle, just scored a 50 from 12 balls, don't blush baby!

 

[Matty76]

Travis Head spinning up a storm at Etihad Stadium tonight. For all the hype over imports like Gayle, Bravo, Russell and co, the BBL importantly showcases the ability of young or unheralded Australian cricketers. The likes of Chris Lynn, Travis Head and Andrew Tye have been tremendous this season and I am delighted that the national selectors have recognised domestic form rather than the curious "potential" previous selection panels have used to justify selections.

It will be a bit sad when the BBL comes to an end on the weekend, the timeslot and quality of cricket has made it (for me anyway) the highlight of the summer.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

I can't believe the Thunder made it!!!

 

[Matty76]

Honestly, how cool, calm and collected is Brad Hodge? I've got to be honest: I've rarely been a fan of his attitude (back to his Sheffield Shield days) but in the BBL he has been a brilliant leader of a young, vibrant, professional team.

I think they will take care of the Thunder - sorry @The Mad Hatter! - and that the Stars will beat the Scorchers.

I don't envy whoever it is that picks the BBL team of the season - is that even a thing? - but for mine Chris Lynn (378 runs @ 54, strike rate 173.39) and Adil Rashid (15 wickets @ 13.20, economy rate 6.38) have been the standout performers this season, on consistency alone.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

I really, really, REALLY thought the Renegades were going to smash that score in 10 overs last night once Gayle got going. Putting Head on stopped the momentum dead, and I went from a black cloud mood to dancing a jig.

And yeah, I give Hodge his due.

Fave players for mine in BBL05, along with Lynn and Rashid include Hodge, Bailey, Tait, Rimmington, Wright, Hogg, Behrendorff, Tye, McKay and Rohrer.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

LOL, still pinching myself. Never thought I'd see this:

Still, I don't think Thunder should have played, nor lost, that game in the rain to the Brisbane Heat. The 1 point would have secured them a finals berth and none of this malarky, or heart palpitations, would have been needed.

 

[Wookiedragon]

Great day for all Thunder fans. We have finally made a semi final for the BBL.

The Thunder were the only team NOT to have played in a semi final. Would like to see them do well in Adelaide & perhaps spring a surprise. I think the Scorchers will account for the Stars - making it five losing semis for the Stars & continuing the Scorchers amazing run of making the final every year.

Can't wait for the Semis - bring it on.

 

[Matty76]

LOL, still pinching myself. Never thought I'd see this:

Still, I don't think Thunder should have played, nor lost, that game in the rain to the Brisbane Heat. The 1 point would have secured them a finals berth and none of this malarky, or heart palpitations, would have been needed.

I agree - I thought at the time that that the game was allowed to continue "in the name of entertainment", but the sight of professional cricketers slipping and sliding in puddles of water was absolutely ridiculous. There is no way in a million years that a Test match would have continued in those conditions.

I was instantly reminded of this - fast forward to 3:31

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr4b75TJtN4

 

[Matty76]

Well bugger me, there IS a BBL "Team of the Tournament"...and this is it:

Chris Gayle - Melbourne Renegades
Luke Wright - Melbourne Stars
Chris Lynn - Brisbane Heat
Mike Hussey (C) - Sydney Thunder
Travis Head - Adelaide Strikers
Tim Paine - Hobart Hurricanes
Andre Russell - Sydney Thunder
Adil Rashid - Adelaide Strikers
Andrew Tye - Perth Scorchers
Samuel Badree - Brisbane Heat
Shaun Tait - Hobart Hurricanes

For mine, Brad Hodge is astoundingly unlucky not to make the team as a batsman and as the captain. However, the aim of these things of course is to select an imaginary "team" that would take the field. That said, I'd replace Gayle as an opener with Mike Hussey and slot Hodge in the middle order....but what would I know?

 

[Wookiedragon]

Well bugger me, there IS a BBL "Team of the Tournament"...and this is it:

Chris Gayle - Melbourne Renegades
Luke Wright - Melbourne Stars
Chris Lynn - Brisbane Heat
Mike Hussey (C) - Sydney Thunder
Travis Head - Adelaide Strikers
Tim Paine - Hobart Hurricanes
Andre Russell - Sydney Thunder
Adil Rashid - Adelaide Strikers
Andrew Tye - Perth Scorchers
Samuel Badree - Brisbane Heat
Shaun Tait - Hobart Hurricanes

For mine, Brad Hodge is astoundingly unlucky not to make the team as a batsman and as the captain. However, the aim of these things of course is to select an imaginary "team" that would take the field. That said, I'd replace Gayle as an opener with Mike Hussey and slot Hodge in the middle order....but what would I know?

5 internationals out of 11. Couldnt take the field as only two internationals per team LOL.

Would have thought Brad Hogg would challenge Badree for the 2nd spinners role. Still not many people can pick his wrong un.

Tye and Lynn have made the team two years running. great to see both of them rewarded with a spot in the Aussie T20 side.

 

[Matty76]

Great news for the competition in general, with Kevin Pietersen re-signing with the Melbourne Stars for the next two BBL seasons. I think he has had a surprisingly positive influence on the BBL during his first two seasons - although I do believe that his first season was as much about "damage control/positive spin" than the substance of his cricket, given how soon it came after his England sacking.

 

[Wookiedragon]

You little beauty. Go the thunder.

Uzi on fire......

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Awesome. One to go!

 

[Matty76]

After her outstanding BBL performances (including two brilliant catches and an unbeaten 32 off 22 balls today) I think we should ask our "man on the inside" @Matt26 to petition Tap n Play for an Ian Healy/Alyssa Healy dual signature card in next season's BBL release

 

[Shaunao1983]

Usman Khawaga has become a freak. Surely he will open the batting for Australia for the T20 World Cup in India. He's so good on both sides of the wicket. He's making batting look easy.

 

[Matty76]

Chris Lynn has been named "Player of the Tournament" for BBL05. Travis Head was crowned (crowned...geddit?) "young gun", an award given to players under the age of 25.

Well, finals day is upon us. Will the Sydney Thunder claim the men's and women's daily double or will the more high profile Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars be crowned 2015/16 champions? This is the most excited I've been all season!!