I must admit that as a lover of the longer forms of cricket I was hesitant to go along to the highly-anticipated BBL match last night. But witnessing the local derby between the Thunder and Sixers was too good an opportunity to pass up, if not just to see Brett Lee in action one last time.
Fast forward a few hours, and all trepidation had gone as the mid strength beers and dog’s eyes were going down rather nicely.
Though I’ll admit it was odd to have such little time between each passage of action with Jordan Silk’s bordering on ridiculous catch at mid wicket (you can watch it above) occurring what seemed like seconds after a couple of sixes from the Thunder. I wasn’t sure when to take a bathroom break or refresh the beer stores for fear of missing the latest bash, catch or crash of stumps. Rather different to Test cricket, but we shouldn’t complain about #firstworldproblems.
Lee, always a favourite of mine due, mainly to his powerful backside, was on fire and did a great job of firing up the near capacity crowd for his last showing at the SCG. What a man, and as always his beautifully coiffed and tinted hair put Warnie’s studio-assisted mop in the shade.
It certainly didn’t hurt that the Sixers needed four from the last ball to get the win, which of course they managed. The photo finish took on an almost scripted, surreal feel as a sea of fans in hot pink and lime green all simultaneously started clapping in some oddly hypnotic rhythm that I couldn’t follow. My interest in the shortest form was wind assisted by a remarkable game of cricket.
It did make me wonder; is T20 going the way of wrestling, with scripts to ensure nailbiters for the crowds? Obviously not, but so much cricket in such little time was a little jarring for this lover of five dayers, where glorious hours of strategic meddling can go by with neither a run or a wicket given away.
That said, after last night’s showing it’s obvious that T20 cricket really has made a good go of shortening a wonderful sport.
The fact that the fans are all far too polite to the opposing side adds a gentile, gentlemanly vibe to the proceedings which will no doubt vanish in the coming seasons as rivalries become entrenched and fans fanatic.
But for now, it really is cricket, and it won me over on Brett Lee’s final night.
Sorrelk attended the Big Bash League thanks to KFC, the proud sponsors of the HCG
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Brisbane have claimed their first Big Bash League title in 11 years after their band of late bloomers lifted the Heat to a 54-run…
Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques will play the BBL final while battling COVID-19, as his side won the toss and decided to bowl first…
It’s been a blockbuster season of BBL cricket this Aussie summer with attendances up across the Country, some amazing highlights and the two best…
The Sydney Sixers will host the Big Bash League decider after captain Moises Henriques' half-century and a five-wicket haul from Ben Dwarshuis secured a…
Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has helped his team avert a late disaster and secure the coveted BBL finals double-chance, beating the Perth Scorchers…
David Warner's Sydney Thunder solo mission has proven in vain, as the Sixers booked their spot in the Big Bash League finals win a…
