Week 1 My Review (KFC BBL 2018/19)
Week one of the KFC BBL was an interesting and entertaining one. The week was highlighted by some standout bowling performances from the likes of Shaun Abbott, Steve O’Keefe of the Sixers and James Faulkner of the Hurricaines who all took three wickets and all three of them deserve to be in the reckoning as far as selection for the national team goes.
Wednesday December 19th
Heat v Strikers
The Heat started well with danger man Brendon Mccullum hitting a four off the first ball that he faced, but unfortunately Mccullum was dismissed off the second ball that he faced. Max Bryant and Chris Lynn looked good putting on 46 runs for the second wicket. The Heat then lost 9 for 51, however fortunately Jimmy Peirson and Mujeeb Ur Rahman steadied the ship with a 45 run partnership for the tenth wicket to help the Heat post a respectable total. In reply the Strikers looked in control from the start of their innings with Alex Carey the standout with a quality innings that consisted of 70 runs.
Thursday December 20th
Renegades v Scorchers
The Scorchers batted first and started reasonably well with the score at 1 for 43 early, but the Scorchers lost their way losing 9 for 60 suffering a shocking collapse. In reply the Renegades were in trouble early with the score 4 for 17 in the opening stages. What followed was a 68 run partnership between Sam Harper and Mohammad Nabi to put the Renegades in a winning position. Unfortunately it was a poor start to his KFC Big Bash coaching career for Scorchers coach Adam Voges with the Renegades winning the match by 4 wickets.
Friday December 21st
Thunder v Stars
The Thunder batted first, they were fairly comfortable from start to finish. An impressive four thunder batsmen managed to score 20 runs or more to help them to post a solid total of 5 for 181 with Jason Sangha the standout with 63 not out and Daniel Sams scoring 34 runs. The Stars required 90 runs off 8 overs with rain intervening on their run chase in its early stages. The Stars never looked like chasing down the revised total losing the game by 15 runs.
Saturday December 22nd
Sixers v Scorchers
The Sixers started well with Jason Behrendorff taking 2 early wickets. Jordan Silk and Daniel Hughes added over 100 runs for the 4th wicket. The Sixers posted a descent total of 4 for 164 off the allotted 20 overs. Steve O’Keefe and Sean Abbott both claimed 3 wickets each showing that they are quality bowlers and helping the Sixers claim victory and leave Adam Voges team winless from their opening 2 outings.
Heat v Hurricaines
The Hurricaines posted a respectable total of 6 for 159 with D’Arcy Short the stand out with 67 runs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mark Steketee both claimed 2 wickets each for the Heat. James Faulkner was the star for the Hurricaines with the bowl managing to claim 3 wickets and lead the Hurricaines to an important victory.
Sunday December 23rd
Strikers v Renegades
The Strikers batted well, but bowled poorly; that was the story of the game. Matt Short was outstanding with 65 runs, while John Wells was solid with 42 runs. The Strikers reached what appeared to be a match winning 5 for 174. In reply the Renegades were 5 for 82, but Mohammad Nabi and Dan Christian combined for an unbeaten, match winning 94 run partnership.