MOMENTS
Follow UsThe BBL 11 is undergoing the final phase of its league stage. With three games to go on the final day of the league matches on Wednesday (January 19), the top five are certain. Perth Scorchers are the table-toppers. Owing to their quality, they lost only three of their 14 matches, finishing at the summit with 10 points more than any other side. The two teams from Sydney - Sixers and Thunder are second and third with 31 points each.
But the team of the week has been the Adelaide Strikers. They won only one of their first eight matches. Now they are placed fourth, winning all their last four games. The surge began with their talisman Rashid Khan. In Match 44, he toyed with the Brisbane Heat batting line-up. The leg-spin phenomenon snaffled 6/17, his career-best figures.
Rashid has a better record against right-handers than the left-handers. In this spell, he picked five southpaws, although many of them were lower-order batters. But here is a more astonishing fact from this spell: five of the six batsmen he dismissed were out for a duck. The other one had one run against his name. Heat were bowled out for 90 which also helped Strikers net run-rate.
Thank you, @rashidkhan_19 🥰#BlueCrew #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/ycygfFU7LI
— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) January 12, 2022
In the batting performance of the last two weeks, since we last talked about the top moments of the season, Daniel Sams hammered the Melbourne Renegades for 98 runs from 44 balls. He came out to bat in the ninth over and pressed the accelerator right away. The red Melbourne fed him some dollies and Sams cashed in. He struck eight sixes and another ball could have taken him to his maiden T20 ton. In response, Renegades crashed to 80 all out, losing the match by 129 runs and falling short of Sams’ total by 18.
Couldabeen Centuries from last night, part 1: Dan Sams with 98 not out! 💥#BBL11 pic.twitter.com/Q0mLzsbmQT
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 8, 2022
Mitchell Marsh, returning to Big Bash cricket after fulfilling his Test duties with the national team ushered Scorchers to a win over Heat. He struck the coolest six in the innings - right over his team’s dugout that made his teammates look at the sailing ball over their head. Marsh scored 59 off 34 balls and won his fourth player-of-the-match award in six games this season. “As much as I enjoy Test cricket and carrying the drinks, it's great to be back playing for the Scorchers,” he said in a jolly way.
Moving onto the fielding front, we always have some stunning catches in T20 cricket and BBL never disappoints. Glenn Maxwell pulled off a stunner against Heat. He surprised himself as well as the bowler. The effort is in running for the catch of the tournament, challenging Jake Fraser-McGurk and Sean Abbott.
"Degree of difficulty = 10" – Andrew Symonds
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 16, 2022
Extraordinary grab from Glenn Maxwell! One of the catches of the summer #BBL11 | BKT Golden Moment pic.twitter.com/01HmBs9VPK
Zak Evans isn’t far behind though. He ran behind with the ball coming over his head and got both his hands to it. Unfazed by the situation, he made it look rather easy.
Zak Evans adds his name as a contender for catch of the summer!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2022
A superb effort to get the biggest wicket in #BBL11 at the moment in Ben McDermott | A BKT Golden Moment pic.twitter.com/neOtdjvHX0
It is important not to forget the mishaps as well. This league is never short of bewildering moments.
How many times can you miss a run out on one delivery? Hobart Hurricanes have set the benchmark at three.
Ben McDermott can't believe it! 😵💫 That's a crazy collection of overthrows!!#KFCAustralia | #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/CTp8069Q6b
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 13, 2022
To end things, we would like to remind you to stay safe and take all precautionary measures. If we are not convincing enough, how about Haris Rauf to present the argument.
Incredible COVID-safe wicket celebration from Harris Rauf! 🤣#BBL11pic.twitter.com/tG4QmFRbMO
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 11, 2022
As the commentator said, you won’t see a celebration like this. Sanitize your hands, wear a mask and maintain social distance.
