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BBL power rankings: Week 3

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5th January, 2020
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Sometimes the ladder lies. In an action-packed BBL season, sometimes power rankings are the best way to see who is most threatening among the eight franchises.

With week three of the BBL|09 tournament under wraps, let’s take a look at what the ladder doesn’t tell us after 24 games this season.

1. Melbourne Stars (5-1, +0.808)
Last week’s ranking: 3

It was the perfect week for the Stars, who went 3-0 and now sit at the top of the table.

They were dominant in all three wins, with Marcus Stoinis totalling 151 runs including a classy 68* not out against the Renegades, but the Stars’ stellar batting hasn’t even been their most threatening feature.

The spin twins in Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane took a combined 5/45 on Saturday night, while it was more brilliance from Haris Rauf in their win over the in-form Thunder, with the Pakistani claiming a record-breaking ten wickets in three games.

The Stars are clearly the team to beat this season, but they’ll need to (and likely will) make the most of their star-studded line-up before they soon lose players for national duty.

Next week features rematches against both the Thunder and Renegades as well as a top of the table clash against the Sixers, a clash in which it is very likely the Stars will head into on a five-game winning streak.

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Though they lose Dale Steyn, they welcome Englishman Pat Brown into the squad but more importantly, create a way for Haris Rauf to slide into the XI, making them even stronger for the back end of the season.

Next match: Sydney Thunder at the MCG, 8th January

2. Sydney Sixers (5-2, +0.219)

Last week’s ranking: 2

The Sixers finished week three with their fourth consecutive win, the longest active streak in the tournament.

Like many other sides this season, the Sixers cruised to a win over the Renegades on Thursday night before an impressive chase of the Strikers 176 saw them jump to second on the ladder.

Despite playing finals in BBL|08, many thought the Sixers would take a step back this season, with their current form surprising everyone.

As the go-to game-winners such as Tom Curran struggled, the Sixers were able to win games through other performances such as cult-hero Lloyd Pope, who showed the league what he’s capable of with figures of 2-22 and 2-41 including momentum-swinging wickets.

Lloyd Pope

Lloyd Pope of the Sixers (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

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Everything seems to be clicking for the Sixers at the moment even without their important figures in Sean Abbott, who is out with a left-side strain, and Steve O’Keefe who, due to Pope’s impressive form, is able to take his time returning from injury.

The Sixers immediately face off against the Strikers again on Wednesday afternoon, but all eyes turn to their clash with the Melbourne Stars on Sunday night, with the winner likely becoming the title-favourite for BBL|09.

Next match: Adelaide Strikers at the Adelaide Oval, 8th January

3. Sydney Thunder (3-1-2, +0.331)
Last week’s ranking: 4

The Thunder found themselves on top of the ladder after their nail-biting New Year’s Eve win in Adelaide, but quickly gave it away to the Stars on Thursday.

Despite the loss, the Thunder see themselves rise from fourth to third in this week’s power rankings with their win over Adelaide showing the league how strong this side can be.

Though the Thunder don’t bat the deepest, their bowling attack, led by Golden Cap owner Daniel Sams, is somehow still flying under the radar this season.

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Their ever-threatening bowlers have presented their batsmen with added security when setting targets, with the Thunder’s bowlers able to defend almost any total.

However, as shown against the Stars, if one of Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales or Cal Ferguson doesn’t fire, then the Thunder are exposed.

If Sydney can win two of their three matches this week, they’ll cement themselves in the top five, but if they are a contender this season, there shouldn’t be any question as to whether they knock over Brisbane and Hobart.

A win over the ladder-leading Stars on Wednesday wouldn’t hurt their cause either.

Next match: Brisbane Heat at Spotless Stadium 6th January

4. Adelaide Strikers (3-1-2, +0.273)
Last week’s ranking: 1

The Strikers quickly learnt that a lot can change in one week in the Big Bash.

They went from top of the table to fourth place after suffering their first two losses of BBL|09.

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The Thunder handed Adelaide their first-ever loss on New Year’s Eve, with a sensational Rashid Khan innings keeping the game a lot closer than it should’ve been, while a Josh Philippe masterclass on Sunday night exposed the Strikers bowling attack.

The rising Wes Agar was dropped for Michael Neser – who went for 21 runs in the penultimate over – yet fellow paceman Harry Conway returned to the XI and the struggling Billy Stanlake failed to bowl his full spell, showing some uncertainty as to who features in the Strikers’ best bowling attack.

With the ladder beginning to tighten up the Strikers cannot afford to drop another two matches next week, with a rematch against the Sixers on Wednesday followed by a Sunday afternoon clash against the Renegades.

The Strikers’ batting line-up is still one of the best in the league, but unlike other sides, they can’t rely on their bowling attack to defend sub-par scores.

If the Strikers’ batsmen fail – like on New Year’s Eve – it’s likely that they will too.

Next match: Sydney Sixers at the Adelaide Oval, 8th January

5. Brisbane Heat (2-3, -0.12)
Last week’s ranking: 6

The Brisbane Heat are a power rankings nightmare.

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Like season’s past, they remain the most inconsistent team in the Big Bash, with this week featuring their worst performance quickly followed by their best.

The Heat were horrendous against the Scorchers and it seemed as if their season was over before it could even get started, but then they smashed 212 against Hobart – their highest-ever total in the BBL – and suddenly the race for fifth place is as tight as ever.

Though luckily for Brisbane, there’s three other sides in the same boat.

Injuries to Hobart’s pace-attack has raised questions about their finals-hopes, while Perth are certainly the weakest of the three teams battling for fifth, and luckily for Brisbane, they face both of them next week.

Following a tough match-up against the Thunder on Monday night, Brisbane will have the opportunity to further impact the Hurricanes’ ladder position on Thursday and can do the same on Saturday against the Scorchers.

To sum it up, Brisbane’s upcoming week could be one of the most important weeks in shaping the BBL|09 ladder.

Next match: Sydney Thunder at Spotless Stadium, 6th January

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6. Hobart Hurricanes (3-3, -0.435)
Last week’s ranking: 5

The Hurricanes had the opportunity to show they’re a finals-bound side this week but failed to capitalise.

Though they still sit fifth, it was an unconvincing week for the Hurricanes despite a thumping win over the seventh-placed Scorchers.

A rain-affected loss to the Stars left them desperate for a win against the Heat on Friday night, but instead the Hurricanes fast bowlers ran into a motivated Chris Lynn as well as an on song cast.

An injury to the in-form James Faulkner rubbed salt into the wounds of the Hurricanes on Friday, though the Hobart bowling attack were quick to return to form by dismantling the Scorchers batting line-up on Sunday night.

But, after losing Faulkner on Friday night, the Hurricanes unfortunately lost two more bowlers to injury as both Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith, who has been in red-hot form, suffered game-ending injuries.

Injuries see the Hurricanes drop to sixth in the power rankings, and with two tough, season-defining matches next week, the Hurricanes’ bowling line-up will be tested, though if D’Arcy Short can build on his stellar last-ball century, they might not even be needed.

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Next match: Brisbane Heat at the Gabba, 9th January

7. Perth Scorchers (2-4, -0.589)
Last week’s ranking: 7

A blowout victory over Brisbane shocked many, but as shown in their loss to the Hurricanes on Sunday night, it was nothing more than a shock.

With three sides currently pushing for fifth place, the Scorchers have the worst record and net run rate of all three teams.

Almost every side has shown glimpses of what they’re capable of this season, such as Perth’s dismantling of Brisbane, but the Scorchers’ players have struggled to find consistency this season with the team slumping to a 2-4 record.

Perth’s bowling attack went from knocking over one of the league’s most threatening batting sides for 109 to only taking two wickets and conceding 180 – including a D’Arcy Short century – a few nights later.

Despite losing any momentum gathered from Wednesday’s win, Perth have the perfect opportunity to win some back next week when they visit the bottom-placed Renegades and host the inconsistent Heat.

The Scorchers need to win at least one of these matches to keep their season alive, and even then, they might need a miracle.

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Next match: Melbourne Renegades at GMHBA Stadium, 7th January

8. Melbourne Renegades (0-6, -0.455)
Last week’s ranking: 8

After six games, it’s safe to say last year was a fluke, but if you’re going to fluke anything it may as well be a championship.

Ladder-wise, the Renegades had the toughest week this week, facing off against the second-placed Sixers and ladder-leading Stars, and though their net run rate surprisingly increased, not once were they competitive.

Their two imports have been outclassed by domestic Australian talent, with English quicks Harry Gurney (3-141) and Richard Gleeson (3-185) both conceding over ten runs an over.

Their batters haven’t been much better either, with young Sam Harper the only Renegade with a strike rate over 150 as Melbourne’s slow-paced batting style has continuously restricted them in setting defendable targets this season.

They lack a stand-out performer in all facets of the game and even if they found one now, it’s unfortunately too little, too late.

Though their performances this season aren’t deserving of a win, after six consecutive losses and with three matches next week, the Renegades are certainly due for one, but to do so, the reigning champions need that stand-out performer to make himself known.

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Next match: Perth Scorchers at GMHBA Stadium, 7th January

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