MOMENTS
Follow UsIt is safe to say that the Big Bash League this season has picked up pace. It has happened slowly but we have had enough of those crazy moments over the last few weeks that makes this tournament different. We have gasped in both admiration and derision, we have to stand up and applaud some moments of brilliance and there have been a few bittersweet instances as well.
What a catch!!
Sean Abbott left everyone flabbergasted with a screamer against Brisbane Heat. Chris Lynn has been struggling for runs this BBL season. But you cannot blame him on this occasion. He had hit that ball in the gap. He had hit it hard. But Abbott aborted the ball’s run to the boundary with his full length dive. He got his hand at the right place at the right time. And he set off for an Imran Tahir-like celebratory run.
It reminded fans of Jordan Silk’s stunner all those years back, also against Brisbane Heat.
On the same day, we saw a team effort of a different kind between Peter Handscomb and Riley Meredith. Handscomb spilled the catch at first slip but did well to balloon it up in the air. A well aware Meredith, at short third man, got into the action to complete the catch. The expression on the bowler’s face was absolute gold.
The first of a kind
On the same day, Ben McDermott created history. With his 127 off 65 deliveries, he became the first batsman to score back-to-back hundreds in BBL annals. It was his third hundred in the competition, the most by a batsman. Pretty apt that he got there with a six over the covers, one of the most captivating strokes.
29th December, a crazy day in BBL
All these events happened on the same day. December 29, 2021 was a crazy day in BBL. In another event from that day, Abbott continued with his heroics against Brisbane Heat. He picked 4/31 with the ball and still had a lot left in the tank.
Chasing 106 (in 16 overs), Sydney Sixers were eight wickets down for 47 runs. Abbott, the bowling all-rounder, dug in with the number 10, Ben Dwarshuis to take the side home. He scored 37 not out off 43 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.
But even Abbott would admit that the Sixers should have got there a lot sooner than they did. They needed two runs off the last over.
Xavier Bartlett almost bowled Dwarshuis off the first ball with a peach. But when the left-hander snuck in a single, it seemed game over for the Heat. However, Bartlett made life tough for Abbott. He delivered three imperious yorkers in a row, taking the game to the last ball.
Abbott kept his calm. Taking a few steps down the track, he flicked the last ball past the in-field to cap off an amazing win for the Sixers.
The game of the tournament. The sixers flexed their batting depth. Bartlett nearly pulled off the impossible. Someone’s joy is another person’s despair.
Shot of the tournament
After the game of the tournament, it is time to talk about the shot of the tournament. The accolade goes to the 21-year old, Oliver Davies. Playing in his first game of the season, after sitting out in six games, Davies played a cameo, scoring 26 not out off 12 balls.
One of his two sixes was an effortless six over covers. He read the Rashid Khan google to perfection, rocked on the back foot and lofted it over extra cover. The nonchalance of the shot got to Sam Billings who couldn’t stop gushing over the skills of Davies. He is only 21 years old.
A Thunderous debut
A couple of weeks ago, Saqib Mahmood, on his Sydney Thunder debut, pouched two wickets in his first over. In Match 32, Mohammad Hasnain raised the bar further, bowling a triple wicket-maiden to start his BBL career. It is the first time any bowler has snaffled three wickets in his first over in any BBL game. It included a peach of an in-swinger to trap Jake Weatherald, who was way off with his shot selection anyways. Thunder’s overseas recruits this season are something.
PS: Don’t miss out on those absurd socially distanced high-fives
Out or Not Out?
The human brain is a complex system and you certainly wonder what was going on in Bruce Oxenford’s mind there. He was quick to respond positively to the appeal, adjudging Ashton Turner caught behind. But he was quicker to change his mind, having to yell out that it's not out.
You have got to feel for Xavier Crone who was deprived of his maiden wicket in T20 cricket.
