The second season of the Big Bash League is upon us and around the country crowds will flock to see the big hits and non-stop action. We’ll have coverage of Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers from 9.00pm AEDT.
We’ve already had the Melbourne and Sydney derbies and two more matches complete the opening round today.
Today’s match of the day comes from Perth’s WACA ground. Just a week ago, the venue saw South Africa turn on a dominant Test performance.
Now the whites are gone, replaced by colours, and the international teams are replaced by domestic franchises.
For the locals the road to redemption begins tonight. Last year the Scorchers took all before them to qualify for a home final, but it all came unstuck for them when they were stunned in the final by the red-hot Sydney Sixers.
For the Scorchers further bad news was to come in the Champions League tournament in South Africa, when they failed to get past the group stage in a disastrous tour noted more for off-field indiscretions than any decent cricket.
Many of the Scorchers players represent Western Australia in Sheffield Shield and Ryobi Cup cricket in what has been a horrible season to date.
And to make matters worse, the Scorchers have been struck down by the injury curse, with Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins ruled out of the tournament.
But the Scorchers aren’t to be written off. There’s plenty of quality in this line-up.
Simon Katich lives in Sydney these days, but returns to his original home town of Perth to captain the side. Former South African international Herschelle Gibbs comes to Australia to play in this tournament.
The likes of Marcus North, Adam Voges and Michael Beer have fallen out of favour with the Australian selectors; but will be looking to put in strong performances to press their case for re-inclusion.
The Scorchers also have in their number Nathan Coulter-Nile, an up-and-coming pace bowler who looks to have a bright future in front of him.
Brad Hogg was a revelation last summer, coming out of retirement and bowling so impressively that he found himself back in the Australian team.
And for one night only Test legend Michael Hussey will make an appearance for the Scorchers.
And what of their opponents, the Adelaide Strikers?
Their first season last year wasn’t particularly impressive. But they have high hopes for a vastly improved showing this year.
At the top of the batting order is one of their key reasons for optimism.
Phillip Hughes, twice discarded from the Australian Test team, didn’t play in last year’s Big Bash.
But this season has seen Hughes dominate domestic cricket, looking so impressive that he’s forced his way back in for a third stint in the baggy green when the upcoming series against Sri Lanka gets under way.
Johan Botha flew in from South Africa to be a marquee player in last year’s Big Bash. This year he’ll play a more settled role.
Now residing in Adelaide, and captaining the Redbacks in the Sheffield Shield and Ryobi Cup, he’ll be feeling at home in his surroundings and ready to perform.
West Indian entertainer Kieron Pollard will wear the Strikers’ colours this season.
Former Australian internationals Andrew McDonald and Callum Ferguson will be keen to impress. And to start the innings in the field, injury-prone tearaway Shaun Tait will be looking to send some thunderbolts down the pitch.
Nathan Lyon has cemented his place in the Australian Test team, and so will only be available for the Strikers for this match.
The Scorchers won the only previous meeting between the two sides, a 43-run margin at the WACA last season. But with the Strikers looking stronger this year, and the Scorchers weaker, a closer contest is expected this time.
Join us here on The Roar from 9.00pm AEDT as we describe the action. Post your thoughts and observations as the action unfolds; in what is sure to be an entertaining and big-hitting contest.
mds1970
Roar Guru
I'm a Thunder fan myself, but I like those Scorchers caps. Orange and charcoal is a great colour combination.....
mds1970
Roar Guru
And so an entertaining contest comes to an end. The Strikers showed plenty of poise in that run chase, with Hughes and Reardon stepping up when it mattered to keep the scoreboard ticking over. A big WACA crowd were enthralled with a highly watchable game of cricket. Thanks for joining us on The Roar for tonight's match. Apologies for the technical difficulties with my computer early, but we got back online for the run chase. And there'll be plenty more big-hitting action to come as the Big Bash League continues this week.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
On the plus side, we surely have the nicest caps in the BBL.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Would love to see Katich fine the bowlers 5% of match fee per full-toss :P
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Yeah, it's okay Edmonson, I don't like winning matches either, no worries.
mds1970
Roar Guru
So the Adelaide Strikers win by 6 wickets. Theo Dorpoulos finished 22 not out. Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges both got 50s for the Scorchers; but the man of the match award was a simple on tonight. Phillip Hughes once again excels himself, showing himself to be the form player of the summer with a knock of 72.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Final over. 1st ball - Doropoulos swings & misses. 2nd ball - Doropoulos goes to the air. Just clears Hogg's fingernails in his despairing attempt for a catch; and the ball runs to the fence. That'll do it - Strikers win by 6 wickets.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Botha swings & misses. Dot ball to end the over. 19 overs bowled. Strikers 4 for 160. Need 3 to win from the last over. Edmonson to bowl it.
mds1970
Roar Guru
2nd ball - Botha plays down leg side for a single. Need 8 from 10. 3rd ball - Doropoulos swings & misses. They attempt to run a single bye. Ball thrown to Coulter-Nile, but his shy at the stumps misses. Need 7 from 9. 4th ball - Botha drives to mid wicket, they run 2. Need 5 from 8. 5th ball - Botha pulls, finds a gap, they run 2. Need 3 from 7.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Coulter-Nile bowling the 19th. Top edge by Reardn sits up for an easy caught & bowled. Ends a fine innings of 42 from 26 balls, which swung the game in the striker's favour. Reardon c&b Coulter-Nile 42. Strikers 4/154. Need 9 from 11 balls. Johan Botha the new batsman.
mds1970
Roar Guru
4th ball - Edmonson attempts a yorker, but it's a half-volley which Reardon drives for a single. Reardon to 42 5th ball - Doropoulos drives a full toss with power to the fence. Need 9 from 13 6th ball - Swing & a miss. 18 overs bowled, Strikers 3/154. Need 9 more runs to win, with 12 balls remaining.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Edmonson bowls the 18th over. 1st ball - Reardon gets a bottom edge. Doesn't carry to Triffet, the keeper doesn't read it, doesnt stop it, and it goes for 4. Need 24 from 17. 2nd ball - Reardon clouts it over the fence for a massive 6.Need 18 from 16. 3rd ball - Full toss, Reardon drives for 4. Need 14 from 15, less than a run a ball.
mds1970
Roar Guru
5th ball - Full toss. Reardon plays the cross-bat and belts it for 6. Need 29 from 19 6th ball - Down leg side. Batsmen scramble a leg bye. Strikers 3/135 need another 28 from 18 balls.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Coulter-Nile returns to the attack. 1st ball - Doropoulos drives, gets a single. Need 37 from 23 2nd ball - High and short, Reardon cant get bat to it. Dot ball. 37 from 22 3rd ball - Reardon plays to leg for a single. 36 from 21 4th ball - Wide of off, Doropoulos has to reach to play it for a single. 35 from 20
mds1970
Roar Guru
Looks like a tight finish here. 15 overs bowled, and the Strikers are 3/125; needing another 38 runs from 24 balls. Reardon 20, Doropoulos 12. At the same stage, Scorchers were 3/128.
mds1970
Roar Guru
A no-ball, after a ball went over the hip on the full. Reardon gets a free ht, but can only manage a single.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Reardon goes high and long. With Hughes gone, someone has to step up; and Nathan Reardon is the man. A massive six out of the park. 3/120.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Theo Doropoulos is the new batsman, but the batsmen crossed; so Reardon faces the next ball. A wrong-un had Reardon tangled up, and it was a dot ball. A single gave Doropoulos the strike, but he had to survive a confident lbw shout. 15 overs bowled, Strikers 3/112. That could be a game changing over. At the same stage, Scorchers were 2/120. Strikers need another 51 from 30 balls.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Hughes goes to the air, and Adam Voges is there. Doesn't quite judge it, and has to dive forward; but he completes the catch. Philip Hughes is out, a sensational innings comes to an end. 74 runs from 48 balls. Hughes c Voges b Hogg 74. Strikers 3/111
mds1970
Roar Guru
Hogg replaced in the attack by Mennie. Keeping it tight, just 6 off. Strikers 2/109 off 14 overs - Hughes 72, Reardon 10. At the same stage, the Scorchers were 2/108. Strikers need another 53 from 6 overs. Hogg to return to the attack from the Lillee-Marsh Stand end.