5 Big Bash stars to watch out for in IPL 7

The third season of the Big Bash League saw supreme standard of T20 cricket being played. There were some spectacular performances, as usual. Some were so spectacular that they caught the eye of the presumably ignorant IPL franchises. Hence, numerous BBL stars will be adorning the Indian Premier League this season.Lets have a look at 5 BBL sensations we must keep an eye on:-

#5 John Hastings - Chennai Super Kings

Standing at over 6’5 feet tall and weighing over 220 pounds, John Hastings can well be confused with a WWE wrestler. Along with Jackson Bird, he was an indispensable asset with the ball in hand for Melbourne Stars. In 9 BBL games, he picked up 13 wickets. With an economy rate of 6.15, he proved to be extremely miser as well.

‘Duke’, as he’s lovingly called, with all his physical strength, isn’t a tearaway speedster. Instead, he relies on subtle variations in pace and length to oufox the batsman. He is no mug with the bat either and can deliver a few lusty blows down the order.

Chennai Super Kings made a super buy in Hastings at 50 lakhs given the all-round prowess he brings to the table. In his first IPL season itself, ‘Duke’ may well have to spearhead the CSK bowling attack. Hopefully, the pressure of responsibility brings the best out of him.

#4 Chris Lynn - Kolkata Knight Riders

Chris Lynn is a demure and straight-faced Queenslander. If you judge him by his unostentatious and meek looks, then youre fooling yourself. Lynn comes from Glenn Maxwells school of arrogance. Regardless of the bowler or the ball, he looks to whack it twenty rows back!

Known for his fast hands which generate staggering bat speed, Lynn has been an integral part of Brisbane heat since BBLs inception in 2011. In BBL|03, he scored 198 runs in 8 games at an astonishing strike rate of 144.53.

Given his strong performances in the BBL, he was selected for the T20 series against England. Lynn was not willing to let the opportunity go as he smashed 33 runs off 17 deliveries in his debut game, a cameo studded with 3 towering sixes.

During the IPL auction this year, Lynn was bought by Shah Rukh Khans Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 1.3 crores. Given the lack of explosive bats in the KKR middle order, Lynn may be entrusted with the responsibility of finishing the innings. The challenge, however, is enormous as he will have to mould his batting style to suit the slow pitches of UAE and India, as opposed to the Australian decks where the ball comes on to the bat swiftly.

#3 Nic Maddinson - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Technically sumptuous and temperamentally serene – that’s what defines Nic Maddinson. This Sydney Sixers’ opener has been ever so reliable for the side at the top of the order, amassing runs with breathtaking ease.

In 9 BBL games previous season, Maddy notched up 211 runs at an average of 26.38, striking at 129.45. He has also featured in a T20I against India wherein he scored a blitzkrieg 34 off 16.

He will be seen wielding his willow for the Virat Kohli-led side in this IPL. Given the presence of the likes of Gayle, Kohli, Yuvraj and de Villiers, Maddinson may have to warm the benches for most games. The lower middle order, however, seems brittle; hence paving way for Maddinson to fill the No.6 slot.

#2 Moises Henriques - Sunrisers Hyderabad

The 27-year old Portugal-born Moises Henqiues is a seasoned campaigner in the T20 circuit. He was a prolific run-getter for Sydney Sixers in BBL|03 and chipped in with a few economical overs whenever called up by the skipper. In 8 BBL games, he accumulated 203 runs and picked up 4 wickets.

Henriques is efficient at playing the role of an ‘umbrella-man’ when the chips are down; while being able to up the ante when the situation demands big shots. He is no stranger to the IPL, having represented 4 IPL teams in the past. In 15 IPL matches, he has scored 214 runs and notched up 10 wickets – average around 30 in both departments.

‘Moey’ will represent Sunrisers in this year’s IPL. He will compete with the West Indian Darren Sammy for the all-rounder’s spot.

#1 Ben Dunk - Mumbai Indians

The BBL|03 player of the tournament, Ben Dunk, went for a steal at Rs. 20 lakhs to Mumbai Indians in this year’s IPL auction. 20 lakhs is a nothing price for someone who single-handedly took his BBL side, Hobart Hurricanes, to the semi-finals of the tournament. The leading run-getter (395 runs) of the league, Dunk was too hot to handle for most sides with his incredible consistency ( averaging 43.89) and power-hitting ( striking at 145.76).

This Hobart Hurricane is adept at sweeping and flicking – traits that would serve him well in the UAE. But it will be difficult for him to find a place in the starting XI of the already star-studded Mumbai Indians lineup. John Wright and co. though, would be tempted at some stage of the tournament to pick Dunk over Michael Hussey in a bid to replace Dwayne Smith.