Winter Watch (w/e 20 Jan) Laurie Evans hits stunning T20 century in Bangladesh Premier League

Laurie Evans issued an emphatic reminder that form is temporary while class is permanent with a blistering maiden T20 century in the Bangladesh Premier League today. After a few low scores for Rajshahi Kings - including in their 25-run defeat to Khulna Titans last Tuesday – Laurie roared back with 104 from just 62 balls to set up a 38-run win against Comilla Victorians in Dhaka this morning.

Laurie was unflappable at the top of the order, even with the Kings slumping to 28-3 after 6.1 overs. In all, he hit nine fours and six sixes, combining beautifully with fellow county player Ryan ten Doeschate to put on 148 for the fifth wicket and take Rajshahi to 176-3 from their 20 overs. The bowlers finished the finished the job, bowling Comilla out for 138 in the 18th over to hand the Kings the points and move them up to fourth place in the table.

💫 Stunning. @LaurieEvans32 hit a brilliant 104* off just 62 balls to help @RKingsOfficial beat @ComillaV in the #BPL this morning. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/omh0XoEgkv

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) January 21, 2019

David Wiese was in fine fettle himself for his BPL team, Khulna Titans, last week. He chipped in with 13 runs from 12 balls at number eight and 1-28 with the ball during their win against Laurie’s Kings on Tuesday, before taking 2-26 and crashing 40 off just 20 balls including two fours and four sixes as the Titans lost out in a high-scoring affair against Comilla Victorians in Sylhet on Saturday. Despite David’s efforts, Khulna are struggling in this year’s competition. They sit at the bottom of the table with just one win from their seven matches so far.

Danny Briggs began his tour of India with England Lions last week with two 50-over warm-up matches against an Indian Board President’s XI in the Keralan capital of Thiruvananthapuram. On Friday, Danny was by far the most economical bowler on either side, conceding just 33 runs from his ten overs as the IBP’s XI chased down the Lions’ 255-6 with four wickets and four balls to spare.

Danny didn’t get a chance to bowl in the second match on Sunday after the Lions had been skittled for 104. After making five from number nine, Danny was an onlooker as the hosts reached their target in just 21.2 overs and with five wickets remaining. The Lions will play the first of their five unofficial ODIs against India A on Wednesday.

It was another busy week in the Big Bash for Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan and Rashid Khan, with Jofra helping his Hobart Hurricanes side extend their lead at the top of the table with wins against the Perth Scorchers and Jason Gillespie’s Adelaide Strikers.

Archer was only required to bowl ten balls against the Scorchers, with the ‘Canes winning by four wickets, but against Dizzy’s Strikers, our man was the pick of the Hobart attack, finishing with figures of 2-23 and helping his side claim a thumping ten-wicket win.

Khan was unable to make a breakthrough during his four overs, but a win against the Melbourne Stars on Wednesday can take the Strikers back into the top four.  

A 10 WICKET WIN! 🙌

Unbelievable performances from @MatthewWade13 and @ShortDarcy to produce an incredible victory! 🤩#TasmaniasTeam #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/G1dG1DVo2p

— Hobart Hurricanes (@HurricanesBBL) January 21, 2019

Chris Jordan and the Syndey Thunder were desperately unlucky last Thursday, as a power cut curtailed their match against the Brisbane Heat.

After batting first, the Thunder left their opponents needing 187 to win, and began the second innings in excellent fashion as Jordan claimed the wicket of dangerman Brendon McCullum in the first over.

Chris Lynn was out soon after, with CJ taking the catch off Gurinder Sandhu’s bowling, before a bizarre floodlight failure meant the points were shared and prevented the Thunder from claiming their fifth win of the season.

⚡️ Our man @CJordan strikes early!

He gets @ThunderBBL off to the perfect start, with Brendon McCullum going for a duck. 👏 #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/b8wX8yv555

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) January 17, 2019

Sussex Women star Danni Wyatt was in action on Saturday night as her Melbourne Renegades side were attempting to reach their first ever WBBL final, but the Sydney Sixers were victorious after a thrilling super over.

The Sixers, who are reigning champions, batted first and started well. However, Wyatt impressed in the field to take the catch of opener Alyssa Healy, before running out Erin Burns for one.

The Renegades were eventually set 132 to win, and Wyatt, who had already scored over 350 runs in the tournament, added 11 more to her total. With four needed off the final ball, Sophie Molineux could only muster three - and the match went to the one-over eliminator.

Wyatt’s side were restricted to six from their six deliveries, before an Ellyse Perry maximum eventually saw the Sixers into their third consecutive WBBL final.

In Victorian grade cricket, it was Luke Wells’ Casey-South Melbourne that came out on top when they faced George Garton’s Northcote CC in a 50-over match at the Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday. Continuing his superb Australian summer, Luke top-scored with 87 as Casey reached 227-8 batting first. George was by far the best of the Northcote bowlers, taking 4-37 from his ten overs, including the scalp of his Sussex teammate. Ultimately, it was the visitors that triumphed as Northcote were bowled out for 221, George making 19 off 14 balls from number eight and Luke taking 1-35 from his ten overs.

George also played a T20 match in the VIC Super Slam on Wednesday, smashing 31 from 19 balls at number nine as the Northcote Dragons made 117-7 against Fitzroy Doncaster Lions. An excellent four overs from the left-arm quick in which he picked up 3-20 then helped the Dragons to dismiss the Lions for 99 to set up an 18-run win.

Over in South Australia, Michael Burgess made 25 not out at number five for Adelaide University in their seven-wicket win over Northern Districts in the West End T20 Cup on Friday evening.

The next day, Michael was involved in the first day of his Adelaide University team’s two-day match against Adelaide CC at the Glandore Oval. It turned out to be a day in the field for AUCC, as Adelaide reached 300-9 at the close. Michael will have a turn to bat next weekend when the match resumes.