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
Don Freo
Guest
Not if he doesn't seeoises push the long off back. It what captains do when they take two minutes to bowl one ball. Everyone knows thinking is not in Dougie's skill set. Binga and Henriques need to own that. The real comment should refer to Marsh's cool execution of the shot. He is one smooth unit
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Not really. Bollinger knows where he needed to be, where he is allowed.
Don Freo
Guest
No one 'lost' the game as much as Shaun Marsh won it. How cool to pace that innings. So many players have wasted free hits at crunch times. Not SOS. Pure polish. He can turn any chunk of coal into a diamond.
Don Freo
Guest
David Lord can only see Sydney.. .watcha talkin' bout, Willis?
Daws
Guest
Always poor under pressure Don? Is that you David Lord?
Daws
Guest
Well done to both teams. Was going for Perth but would have had no qualms if Brett Lee took that last wicket, amazing service to his country that bloke.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Blame for loss goes to Bollinger in truth. Great game though. What a ripper.
Don Freo
Guest
Silk already had the game under control. If Shaun Marsh had fumbled at that time in the game, he'd be lumbered forever with the epithet of "poor fieldsman". Funny how it's not ok the other way. So precious...and I get great delight in knowing it has caused offence. Time to acknowledge a genuine star of the game and to recognize that SOK just clogs up a spot in the Sixer's team. They essentially played with 11 players.
Don Freo
Guest
Silk already had the game under control. If Shaun Marsh had fumbled at that time in the game, he'd be lumbered forever with the epithet of "poor fieldsman". Funny how it's not ok the other way. So precious...and I get great delight in knowing it has caused offence. Time to acknowledge a genuine star of the game and to recognize that SOK just clogs up a spot in the Sixer's team. They essentially played with 10 players.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
I guess that makes the Scorchers the undisputed champion Twenty20 team in Australia. Four finals and two wins in a row speaks pretty loudly. The return to Henriques on the last ball was a bit deadly but the 10-run ball was the winner . Lyon and Lee almost won it for the Sixers but the extra wickets in the hut made it possible for Perth
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
"always poor under pressure"?!?!?!? I take it you've already forgotten the last game at the SCG where SOK hit two boundaries off the final two balls of the innings to win the game... And you're blaming a fumble that cost one run over the disastrous second last over from Lee? Need to take your anti-SOK hat off for a moment old son.
Don Freo
Guest
Really great to see two players who have copped it all season really nail it under pressure. Well done Shaun Marsh and Nathan Lyon All very well to hang the last ball run out on Henriques but SOK fumbling an outfield ground ball turned a one into a two...and cost the super over. Always poor under pressure, that boy.
Don Freo
Guest
Really great to see two players who have copped it all season really nail it under pressure. Well done Shaun Marsh and Nathan Lyon All very well to hang the last ball run out on Henriques but SOK fumbling an outfield ground ball turned a one into a two...and cost the super over. Always poor under pressure, that boy.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Caught a glimpse of the trophy presentation. Sounded & looked like about 400 people remained to witness it. Was it held in a country town somewhere?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah agree. I called it at the time... I thought the Sixers were home until that happened. It just released all the pressure that the bowlers had placed onto the batsmen over the previous 5-6 overs.
Scuba
Guest
That would be Henriques' fault as well - it's the captain's job to set the field.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
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 3 inside the circle and the resulting no ball and wide meant the first ball of Lee's second last over went for 10 runs. That's it for me. Thanks for joining in for the Roar's coverage of the BBL. It's a bit sad that it's all over now. Take care.
JimmyB
Guest
Only 90%? Btw 70s it was Yarafat who was running to the danger end. What a finish!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Great game! Gotta feel for henriques, did all he possibly could to get his side over the line only to have that cruel slip up on the final ball. Binga was legendary but it all goes back to that 10-run ball though... Scorchers are back to back champs - Well done.
Jamal
Guest
The little brainsnap from Bollinger not fielding in the circle with the no ball was the turning point. The game was lost in that over.