Super Over seals the deal for Stars against the Sixers

Michael Lumb scored 80 off 61 (photo: Davis Harrigan)

Having won the toss and deciding to bowl on a flat, hard MCG pitch, the Melbourne Stars needed early wickets to keep the Sydney Sixers on a leash.  No-one expected what was to come, or the Super Over.

After a last-ditch effort to score 15 runs in the final over of their innings, the Stars finished 4/150 – equalling the Sixers 6/150 earlier in the night.  The 22,098 fans in the stands made the noise of 50,000, such was the intensity of the Super Over.

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Cricket: Australian Domestic scene: Doug Bollinger and Ben Laughlin

Doug Bollinger in action during the 2013 Ryobi Cup (source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

They both play for the same Big Bash League team, the Hobart Hurricanes.  When it comes to the two longer forms of the domestic game, the left-arm and right-arm quick respectively are on opposing sides.

Enter New South Welshman Doug Bollinger, and Tasmanian Ben Laughlin.  One steams in with sheer determination, the other bowls extremely well at the death of 20 over and 50 over matches.

Cricket: Big Bash League: Home and Away Team Reviews

Brad Hodge v Melbourne Renegades, Jan 6, 2013 (photo mine)

It was a competition full of surprises, monster sixes, and above all, some great cricket (even if there was a bit of controversy, but hey, that’s normal!)

In this review I’ll take a look at all eight teams during their ‘home & away’ campaign during their eight matches.  There was a whole lot of mayhem throughout.  On the upside, TV ratings for the Big Bash were fantastic.  The crowds were also very engaged, especially at the two Melbourne Derby clashes.

Fox Sports once again has provided us with excellent, if not biased, coverage of every game.  The insights that the likes of Damien Fleming and Brendon Julian offer is second to none.

Cricket: Big Bash League: Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes preview

Luke Wright v Melbourne Renegades (photo mine)

Two very good sides will take to the MCG on Saturday night.  Only one will win, but it is going to be a tight contest.

The Melbourne Stars didn’t just crush the Perth Scorchers on Wednesday night; they sent them flying into next week, in a whirlwind of shock blonde hair and two overs of power hitting from Luke Wright.

Now they come up against an opponent very much their equal; the Hobart Hurricanes.  Tim Paine, Jonathan Wells, the big hitting Travis Birt and Owais Shah all demonstrated they all can bat.  Ben Laughlin, Michael Hogan and Evan Gulbis were also very good with the ball.

It is going to make for an interesting clash.  The Hurricanes won’t easily forget last years clash, when Wright went bananas and proceeded to smash 117 from just 60 balls.  Then again, Travis Birt dished it up to Clint McKay, sending three balls out of the park in Hobart.

Cricket: Twenty20 BBL: Heat v Hurricanes Match Preview

Brisbane Heat 2011/2012

The Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat will kick off the Big Bash League‘s first double header of the season tonight at the Gabba.

With Daniel Vettori injured and having to pull out of the Heat campaign, and Cricket South Africa not willing to release paceman Dale Steyn for his one-off game, the Brisbane Heat will be needing to make a couple of changes to its squad.

They face strong opposition in BBL|01 semi finalists the Hobart Hurricanes.  The purple army has strengthened its side in BBL|02, retaining the big-hitting Travis Birt, wily spinner Xavier Doherty, and have secured Ricky Ponting for the entire competition after his retirement from the Australian squad.

Cricket: Under The Microscope: Hobart Hurricanes

Hobart Hurricanes (sourced from Google Images)

Hobart’s cricketing “purple power” is back for BBL|02 and primed to make another run for the finals.  The Hurricanes welcome back a strong team from BBL|01, including a couple of new signings, and some players who have made the move from other teams.

The Hurricanes first game is against the Brisbane Heat on December 9.  Let’s take a look at some key players and stats for the upcoming season:

Ricky Ponting: “Punter” was limited to just one game in the inaugural Big Bash League season due to international commitments.  The veteran 37 year old will be back once again to add strength and experience to a strong batting line-up.  Never backs down from a pull or hook shot, and is a sublime timer of the ball.  Reinvigorated form after last summer but must keep going to ensure national spot.