The 2016/17 season of the Big Bash League – the T20 tournament cricketing fans have been desperately waiting for has finally kicked off with a bang. The first clash of the tournament was fought out between cross-town rivals Sydney Sixers and the defending champions Sydney Thunder.
The latter scored 159 runs for the loss of 8 wickets at the end of 20 overs after losing the toss. At one point the Thunders were in deep trouble after being restricted to 86/6 in 11.5 overs.
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Ryan Gibson and Pat Cummins contributed with 53 and 30 runs respectively which helped them post a reasonable score. Eoin Morgan smashed 22 runs in the 5th over of the innings bowled by Joe Mennie which sent the fielders scurrying for cover.
Sadly his impressive cameo ended soon after Johan Botha castled him which sucked the momentum out of the innings.
The Sydney Sixers led by Moises Henriques chased down the formidable target with 2 overs to spare which was possible mainly because of sublime batting performances by Daniel Hughes and the captain himself.which earned the player of the match trophy for the latter.
The second game between Adelaide Strikers and the Brisbane Heat promises to be a nail-biting contest with both the sides consisting of match winners capable of winning the game singlehandedly for their respective teams.
The Strikers spearheaded by Brad Hodge have been unable to finish champions even once which is shocking considering the firepower in their arsenal. Their performance in the knockouts left much to be desired after meekly crashing out in the semifinals against the eventual champions Sydney Thunder last season.
Brisbane Heat marshalled by charismatic big-hitting Kiwi batsman Brendon McCullum have won the league before in the 2012-13 season and will be motivated to repeat that feat this season. A win in this game will surely boost their confidence.
We here at Sportskeeda decided to take a look at the 5 key players whose performances can determine the game to a large extent -
#1 Brendon McCullum- Brisbane Heat
Brendon McCullum is considered one of the most destructive batsmen currently in the T20 format. With Chris Gayle opting out of the tournament this season he is arguably the biggest star in the tournament.
Ever since he smashed 158 for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the first game of the IPL back in 2008 against RCB the Kiwi has been nothing short of impressive with his batting performances for the various T20 franchises he has represented over the years.
The 35-year-old is highly rated for his ability to get the innings off to a spectacular start which has been possible mainly because of his aggressive and versatile gameplay.which shatters the confidence of the bowler and leaves the opposition skipper baffled.
His scoop shot off deliveries bowled at a pace of 155 kph by Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes indicates how fearless and innovative he is. He has scored 6955 runs in 251 matches at an awe-inspiring strike rate of 137.07 and an average of 31.32 which indicates how valuable he has been so far.
If McCullum gets the side off to a quick start and even perishes in pursuit of quick runs, the other batsmen can then capitalise on the platform set and rack up a huge score on the board. Even in the case of a chase, a quickfire start can pile up pressure on the bowlers leaving them disoriented and ineffective.
In the past, his International commitments have forced him to leave early which will not be an issue now considering his recent retirement which will no doubt make his teammates and the fans extremely happy.
#2 Chris Lynn- Brisbane Heat
Chris Lynn is one of the most exciting Australian youngsters in the Big Bash League. His aggressive batting and amazing fielding abilities have earned him a lot of support and praise from his coaches, teammates, and the fans.
His professionalism, dedication, hard-working attitude and outstanding batting performances have earned him deals in the IPL, SLPL, and CPL. Recently the Kolkata Knight Riders opted to retain him in spite of his limited appearances last season for the franchise which demonstrates how confident they are about his abilities and talent.
Lynn scored 378 runs in the 2015-16 season of the Big Bash League at an average of 54 and a superb strike rate of 173. This earned him the top spot on the list of the highest run- getters that season which did his reputation no harm.
The batsman is more than capable of smashing the ball into the stands and can even maturely build the innings in case of a batting collapse which makes his overall profile extremely impressive. A good performance against the Strikers will surely catch the eye of the selectors which might earn him a national team call-up in the near future.
#2 Brad Hodge- Adelaide Strikers
The 41-year-old veteran is one of the most experienced and shrewd cricketers out there. Many cricketers choose to enjoy a coaching or commentary stint at this age because of the rigorous requirements of the game but Hodge has taken it up as a challenge which indicates his mental strength and immense will power.
Hodge is one of the best finishers in the format capable of pacing his innings according to the situation and adapting to any scenario. His invaluable experience is a massive boost for any T20 franchise which makes him one of the most sought after cricketers even at this age.
The Victoria-born batsman has scored 7052 runs in 262 games at a strike rate of 131.27 and an average of 36.72. Hodge is also one of the best leaders out there with his ability to inspire and motivate earning praise from his teammates and youngsters alike.
The Adelaide captain will be looking to earn a morale-boosting win in the first fixture by leading from the front and delivering a captain's performance on the field with the willow.
#4 Chris Jordan- Adelaide Strikers
The 28-year-old all-rounder will be making his debut in the Big Bash this season as a replacement for Adil Rashid. His performances for England in the T20 World Cup 2016 earned him a lot of fans who were astonished by his immense pace and big hitting abilities.
The bowler is more than capable of snapping up early wickets and making inroads which make him a captain's delight. His ability to hit huge sixes has even earned him comparisons to big hitting English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.
The Sussex all-rounder has picked up 61 wickets in 64 games at an economy rate of 8.64 and a strike rate of 19.9. His strike rate of 120.95 with the bat makes him a reliable option down the order and also an effective option as a pinch hitter.
A couple of wickets against the Brisbane Heat will certainly make him an in-demand cricketer in the IPL auction scheduled on February 6.
#5 Kieron Pollard- Adelaide Strikers
Kieron Pollard is one of the foreign T20 superstars in the league along with Andre Russell and Brendon McCullum. The big hitting all rounder is a monster with the bat for the opposition bowlers and also an effectual bowler for his captain in the death overs.
The 29-year-old has scored 6557 runs in 336 games at a stunning strike rate of 152.38 and an average of 31.07. His variations, when tasked with bowling in the middle and death overs have earned his side crucial breakthroughs.
226 wickets at an economy rate of 8.02 and a strike rate of 17.6 indicates what a splendid all-rounder he is.
Kieron Pollard can finish the game off brilliantly in the death overs by scoring those crucial 15-20 runs which make the difference between a victory and a defeat. If Pollard ensnares Chris Lynn and McCullum early on then the Brisbane Heat can be restricted to a very low total which will ensure victory for the Strikers.
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