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So that’s the end of the Big Bash League for 2014/15. For mine it was the best BBL ever, played in front of the biggest crowds ever.
It is fitting that the tournament ended with such a terrific match going right down to the wire. Perth always looked slightly ahead with some great bowling at the start of the innings and the good opening stand by Marsh and Klinger.
Full marks to Moises Henriques and Carters for turning the Sixers batting around and some incredible death bowling by Nathan Lyon and Brett Lee.
The Scorchers bowlers again performed with distinction – Behrendorff the pick with 1/19 off 4 overs but Hogg with 1/25 (4) also strangled the Sixers batting.
The difference between the two teams was Shaun Marsh with a man of the match innings of 73. Actually a big difference was the illegal field placing bungle by the Sixers – they had only three inside the circle and the resulting no ball and wide meant the first ball of Lee’s second last over went for 10 runs.
The Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers are all set to contest the final of the 2014/15 Big Bash League in Canberra tonight. Join me on The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:40pm (AEDT).
The Big Bash League juggernaut rolls into the nation’s capital for the tournament decider this evening. The fourth edition of the Big Final pits together two of the most successful franchises – the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers.
With one title apiece, the winner has genuine claim to be the greatest ever BBL club, since no team has won the competiton twice.
It was an interesting choice to play the final at Canberra’s Manuka Oval. Had previous years’ conditions applied then Perth would have hosted their fourth consecutive final with the 12th man advantage of the vocal ‘Furnace’ crowd. Although technically a neutral venue, expect to see plenty of magenta in the audience.
Perth’s famed strategy of being able to defend any total was given a stern test in the semi-final against the Melbourne Stars. With a comical final maiden over, Perth were restricted to a slightly below-par score of 144.
The Scorchers bowlers responded in sterling fashion. Tye, Behrendorff and Coulter-Nile all pitched in with inspirational spells, backed up with superb ground fielding. They seem like a well drilled side for which coach Justin Langer can take due credit.
Perth’s batting can be a mixed bag but if either Klinger or Shaun Marsh can get going there is no reason they can’t post a big score. Michael Carberry is an enigmatic player, sometimes racking up the dots, however once he gets his eye in he can pummel the bowlers as much as anyone. His performance in the semi-final was instrumental in the Scorchers achieving a respectable total.
The Sydney Sixers have been in ominous form of late. Their semi-final thrashing of the Adelaide Strikers was as comprehensive as you can get.
Nic Madinson is the key man for the Sixers with his quick-fire 85 setting up the Sixers’ semi-final win. Of course it’s not just a one man show with players such as Lumb, Wessels and Henriques capable of making life difficult for the bowlers from the west.
Sydney’s bowling lineup also poses danger for Perth. Young Cricketer of the Year Sean Abbott, the ever aggressive Douggie Bollinger and Test hero Nathan Lyon have recent form on the board. And how can you ignore Brett Lee, still sending down thunderbolts at the age of 38.
It’s notable that all this year’s semi-finalists: the Scorchers, Stars, Sixers and Strikers all start with an ‘S’. In this vein, will the silky Jordan Silk snatch another sensational screamer for the Sydney Sixers or will the Scorchers smash sufficient sixes to succeed?
Mo’s tip: with no HOG-GY, HOG-GY chants from the sidelines I expect the Sixers to get up
Join me on The Roar from 7:40pm for all the action.
Follow 70s Mo on twitter @70s_mo
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