Jordan, Salt and Khan in Big Bash action as Bopara nears BPL qualifiers
It’s been another busy week for our players around the world, with the Big Bash continuing with three Sharks involved.
Chris Jordan began 2020 on a high, as Perth Scorchers beat Brisbane Heat by 40 runs on New Year’s Day.
After winning the toss and batting first, the Scorchers set their opponents 150 to win, with CJ finishing unbeaten on two, before the home side defended their total brilliantly.
Some impressive bowling from Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmad and Jordan meant the Heat could never get going in their chase.
CJ bowled two overs for 20 runs, and claimed the wicket of dangerman Matt Renshaw, as the Heat crumbled to 109 all out.
Sadly, the Scorchers were on the receiving end of a narrow defeat in their next match, as they lost by eight runs to Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday.
Jordan bowled four overs for 36 runs, but the Hurricanes were inspired by D’Arcy Short, who hit an unbeaten 103* off just 70 balls to help his side set Perth 181 to win.
In reply, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green offered some resistance, but their side ultimately fell short of their target to remain seventh in the table.
Jason Gillespie’s Adelaide Strikers have endured a tough week with two narrow defeats either side of the new year.
On New Year’s Eve, the Strikers were asked to bowl first against Sydney Thunder, and Rashid Khan finished his four overs with figures of 1-44 as the Thunder finished on 168-5.
In reply, Phil Salt was dismissed for 0, but the Strikers refused to give up on their chase in what turned out to be a thriller. Khan, so famed for his bowling, was the man who kept the match alive with the bat.
The Afghanistan captain smashed 40 off just 18 balls to take his side within four of victory with some incredible shots, before he was ran out on the penultimate ball of the match. Wes Agar faced the final delivery, but was unable to score as the Thunder snuck home.
Some of these shots! 🤯@rashidkhan_19 was in incredible form with the bat yesterday! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/T2D8iYSAS0
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) January 1, 2020
On Sunday, Dizzy’s side suffered another narrow loss at the hands of Sydney Sixers, with the Sixers sealing victory with just three balls remaining.
Batting first, Salt got the Strikers off to an excellent start in Coffs Harbour, with 25 off just 11 balls, while Khan finished not out on 14 off six balls at the end of the innings.
With the ball, Khan took 1-34 off his four overs, but thanks to Josh Phillippe, who scored an impressive 83 off 52 balls, the Sixers reached their target of 177 in the final over.
The Strikers will be hoping to bounce back on Wednesday morning when they host the Sixers, while Jordan’s Scorchers are in action on Tuesday morning against BBL|08 champions, Melbourne Renegades.
The Bangladesh Premier League is also still underway, and Ravi Bopara remains involved with his Rajshahi Royals side.
Despite hitting 28 off 19 balls, Bopara couldn’t prevent his side from falling to a 47-run defeat against Rangpur Rangers on New Year’s Eve, but the Royals bounced back two days later against the same opposition.
Bopara was named Player of the Match after scoring a half century off 29 balls, before bowling one over for ten runs and taking two catches in the second innings. The Royals sealed a 30-run victory and climbed to second in the tournament standings.
Match 9 for #RajshahiRoyals
— Rajshahi Royals (@RajshahiRoyals) January 2, 2020
Congrats Ravi Bopara#riseofroyals #RRvRPR pic.twitter.com/6sglkJ5R9s
On Friday, the Royals made it back-to-back wins with a six-wicket victory against Sylhet Thunder. Bopara finished unbeaten on 1*, after bowling one over for just three runs, to see his side reach the top of the table as the qualifiers approach.
Heading back down under, Travis Head helped Australia seal a whitewash series win against New Zealand at the SCG.
After hitting a stunning century last week, Head scored 10 in the first innings of this match before Australia were dismissed for 454.
New Zealand were abject in their reply, with Nathan Lyon causing carnage to take a five-fer and see the visitors all out for 256.
Head wasn’t required to bat in Australia’s second innings, as David Warner scored 111*, before Tim Paine’s side declared on 217-2 and once again bowled New Zealand out – this time for 136.
Jofra Archer was also meant to be in international duty in England’s second Test against South Africa, but he was ruled out with an elbow injury. There is hope, however, that the fast bowler will be fit for the third Test.
The Victorian Premier competition continued its Christmas break over the last week, meaning Luke Wells was able to enjoy some time off over the festive period. He’ll be back in action for Casey South Melbourne when fixtures resume on Saturday 11th January.
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