Salt and Head star in Big Bash; Bopara crowned BPL champion; Sussex trio named in World Cup squad

It was another busy seven days for Sussex players around the world, with Phil Salt, Rashid Khan and Travis Head all enjoying success in the Big Bash.

Despite starting the week with a disappointing seven-wicket defeat to Brisbane Heat, after Khan top-scored with 28 and then took 1-30 with the ball, Jason Gillespie’s Strikers side bounced back three days later against the same opposition.

It was a brilliant display of bowling from the Strikers, with Khan taking figures of 1-15 from his four overs, while Head also took his first wicket of this winter’s Big Bash, as the Heat were skittled for just 100.

In reply, Salt looked in the mood from the very first ball, which he cracked for four, and the batsman went on to score his second BBL|09 half-century.

Salt went on to finish 67 not out off 38 balls, and seal his side a thumping 10-wicket win with 55 balls still remaining.

What a knock! 💫@PhilSalt1’s brilliant 67* off 38 balls for @StrikersBBL in all its glory... 🙌pic.twitter.com/mIo2JnRufq

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) January 18, 2020

The Strikers made it back-to-back wins on Saturday night when the beat Hobart Hurricanes in a close encounter at Launceston.

Dizzy’s men were put into bat first, which saw Salt score 13, before captain Head came to the crease and put in a man of the match display.

Our overseas player for the upcoming season smashed five fours and six sixes on his way to a fantastic 79 off 40 balls, before eventually being well caught on the boundary when looking to launch another maximum into the stands.

Head’s special knock saw his side set the Hurricanes 187 to win, and despite David Miller’s unbeaten 90, the Strikers snuck home to win by ten runs and go up to second in the Big Bash standings.

Three games remain before the Big Bash finals get underway, with the top four qualifying for the knockout stages. The Strikers are back in action on Wednesday against table-topping Melbourne Stars.

Captain fantastic! 👏

A man of the match display from @travishead34 saw @StrikersBBL beat the Hurricanes by 🔟 runs yesterday! pic.twitter.com/QSDYSmCdQt

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) January 20, 2020

Chris Jordan’s Perth Scorchers have also had an action-packed seven days of Big Bash action, and started their week with a crushing 77-run win over the Hurricanes.

The Scorchers batted first, with CJ finishing unbeaten on 1* as they completed their innings on 175-7, before the England bowler took 1-16 with the ball in the second innings and comfortably caught George Bailey on the boundary.

The Hurricanes were eventually dismissed for 98 after an impressive bowling display from the Scorchers, but CJ’s side were brought back down to earth two days later against the Stars.

The BBL|09 leaders bowled first and dismissed the Scorchers for just 86, and in reply, despite Jordan bowling two tight overs for just nine runs, sauntered to an eight-wicket win with eight overs remaining.

The Stars were the opposition once more three days later, and again came out on top – despite a far better display from the Scorchers at the MCG.

Bowling first, Jordan finished his four overs for 25 runs, and hit two with the bat, but Glenn Maxwell’s side battled well in their innings. The Stars eventually won by ten runs to make it ten wins from eleven and seal their place in the finals.

Over in the Bangladesh, Ravi Bopara was crowned a BPL 2019 champion as his Rajshahi Royals side beat Khulna Tigers in the final on Friday evening.

The Royals began their week with defeat to the Tigers in the first qualifier, with Andre Russell’s side opting to bowl first and Bopara going on to dismiss the dangerous Shamsur Rahman and finish with figures of 1-24.

In reply, a masterclass from Mohammad Amir prevented the Royals from chasing their target of 159. The Pakistani bowler took staggering figures of 6-17 – the best figures in BPL history – while Bopara was out for one. The Royals eventually lost by 27 runs.

Can’t beat winning trophy’s. what a feeling. Another trophy sealed and delivered. Well done to all the team and @RajshahiRoyals and top coach @owaisshah203 #BPLseason7 pic.twitter.com/hh8v0j96MF

— Ravi Bopara (@ravibopara) January 17, 2020

The Royals had a second chance of reaching the final, however, in the second qualifier where they faced Chattogram Challengers.

Bopara wasn’t named in the matchday squad, so was able to sit back and enjoy a vintage display of powerful batting from Russell, who smacked 54 off just 22 balls to lead his side into the Dhaka final for another showdown with the Tigers.

This time, the Royals came out on top – winning by 21 runs after batting first – but Ravi was omitted from the squad once more.

Back in Australia, Luke Wells and Casey South Melbourne continued their 50-over campaign in the Victoria Premier League with a six-wicket defeat to Monash Tigers on Saturday.

Casey South batted first, but Wells, who opened the innings, could only manage five before the rest of his side were dismissed for 125 in 44 overs.

With the ball, Wells was his side’s best performer, taking impressive figures of 2-27 from his seven overs, but Monash were able to claim victory with fifteen overs of their innings remaining. Casey South will be looking to bounce back on Saturday when they host Northcote.

Three Sussex Women are now preparing for the T20 World Cup later this winter after being named in England's squad on Friday evening. 

Sussex are the best represented county in the squad with Freya Davies, Georgia Elwiss and Danni Wyatt included in a 15-strong group for the tournament, which starts in February. 

BREAKING: Three @SussexWomen have been named in England's T20 World Cup squad. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Congratulations to @Danni_Wyatt, @Gelwiss and @FreyaRuth! 👏

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) January 17, 2020