BBL Final Adda Notes: Numbers that keep you ahead in Sixers vs Scorchers clash

Big Bash League (BBL) title-holders Sydney Sixers will lock horns with three-time champions Perth Scorchers in a blockbuster final at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday.

While two-time BBL winners Sydney Sixers are aiming to replicate Perth Scorchers' record of securing back-to-back titles, Scorchers are chasing a record fourth BBL title.

Moises Henriques’ Sixers and Scorchers have already faced each other three times in BBL finals, with the latter winning twice and losing once.

Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head record in BBL Finals

Year Winner Runner-up Result
2016 Perth Scorchers Sydney Sixers Perth Scorchers won by 9 wickets
2014 Perth Scorchers Sydney Sixers Perth Scorchers won by 4 wickets
2011 Sydney Sixers Perth Scorchers Sydney Sixers won by 7 wickets

Interestingly, Scorchers have already played five BBL finals in the previous nine seasons, while Sixers have been involved in four BBL finals during that time period. 

The Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head record favours Ashton Turner’s side, having won 11 of the 19 encounters played between the two teams. However, in their last five completed BBL encounters, Sixers have won four of those matches.

Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head overall record in BBL

Sydney Sixers Metrics Perth Scorchers
19 Matches 19
8 Wins 11
- NR -
42.11 Win Percentage 57.89

In the ongoing edition of the tournament, Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers have already faced each other three times with the Sixers winning two of the three encounters.

Additionally, the hosts have won four out of their last five BBL matches played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. On the other hand, Scorchers have struggled at SCG, winning just two of their last five matches.

Speaking of the venue, the last five games at the SCG have seen an average of 22.8 boundaries and 11.4 sixes. 

If Scorchers are to bat first, expect them to score more than 170 runs, as they have averaged 178 in their last five BBL matches. Meanwhile, the Sixers have posted an average of 172 runs in the same number of matches. 

On current form, defending champions Sydney Sixers are tipped to retain the title and beat Perth Scorchers in Saturday’s final.

Feature image courtesy: 2021 Cricket Australia.

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BBL 2020-21: Sydney Cricket Ground to host final on February 6

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will host the final of the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) on February 6, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Saturday.

Sydney Sixers on Saturday thrashed Perth Scorchers by nine wickets in the Qualifier to seal their spot in the grand finale and also earn the hosting rights at their home ground (SCG).

Meanwhile, the Scorchers will have a second chance to reach the summit clash when they lock horns with The Challenger at Optus Stadium, Perth on February 4. They will take on the winner of The Knockout between the Sydney Thunder or Brisbane Heat, to be played at the Manuka Oval on Sunday night.

"We'd like to congratulate the Sydney Sixers on earning the right to host their second consecutive BBL Final, which we're delighted to confirm will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground," said Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's Head of Big Bash Leagues.

"This is a major reward for fans of the Sydney Sixers, who haven't been able to get to the SCG and see their team play so far in BBL. Tonight's [Saturday's] result means the Perth Scorchers will host either Sydney Thunder or Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium next Thursday, with the winner returning to Sydney to face the Sixers," he said. 

Here are the remaining BBL Finals series matches:

January 31: The Knockout, Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat, Manuka Oval, Canberra

February 4: The Challenger, Perth Scorchers vs winner of The Knockout, Optus Stadium, Perth

February 6: The Final, Sydney Sixers vs winner of The Challenger, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

 

Feature image courtesy: 2021 Cricket Australia.

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Brett’s watch list: Players to watch during BBL playoffs

It took until the very last day of the Big Bash League 2020-21 season leagues stages to decide the five teams who will be playing in the playoffs, starting from Friday, January 28.

While Hobart Hurricanes missed out on the playoffs following a shocking 11-run defeat against Melbourne Renegades. Brisbane Heat found their way into the top half with a six-run win over Perth Scorchers, who had already qualified for the play-offs.

With Sydney Sixers finishing at the top of the BBL points table, the stage is set for another exciting round, and I’m pretty sure the upcoming matches will live upto the hype. 

That said, here are my picks from the first two playoffs games:

Chris Lynn - Brisbane Heat

Credit where it’s due, Chris Lynn has performed exceptionally well, especially after failing to get a game in the Indian T20 League 2020. In just 10 games this season, the hard-hitter has accumulated 420 runs at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 157.30. The 30-year-old has scored four half-centuries in his last six BBL games and I expect more of the same from the explosive opener as his team squares off against Adelaide Strikers; a team against whom Lynn scored his lowest score (17) in the ongoing season. He certainly has some point to prove.

Wes Agar - Adelaide Strikers

The fourth highest wicket-taker of BBL 2020-21, 23-year-old Wes Agar has been a revelation this season. Though he has been expensive as well as wicketless in his last two BBL outings, Agar knows a thing or two about bothering Brisbane Heat - against whom he delivered his best spell of 4/27. Agar had scorched past Heat’s batting order by getting the better of Marnus Labuschagne, Lynn, Joe Denly and Max Bryant, as Strikers had limited their opponent to just 115. It was arguably one of the best bowling performances I’ve seen in the current edition, and Agar will be raring to have a go once again.

Josh Philippe - Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers’ opener Josh Philippe has been amongst runs this season, although inconsistency has been an issue for the player. The 23-year-old, once set, has shown the capabilities of wreaking havoc, but tends to lose his wicket quite early more often than not. Following his match-winning 64 against Sydney Thunder and 84 against Perth Scorchers, Philippe has failed to cross the 20-run mark in all of his last three outings. It’s a good thing that he has a prior history against Scorchers, and I think they will be on the receiving end of another explosive approach.

Jhye Richardson - Perth Scorchers

Jhye Richardson has been a phenomenal presence for Perth Scorchers, and one of the reasons why they finished second in the points table. In 14 games so far this season, the 24-year-old has picked 27 wickets - five wickets clear of his closest opponent - and that at an economy of just 7.08. Richardson has picked four wickets in two matches against Sixers and has conceded just 46 runs this season, meaning that he concedes less than six runs per over against them. A game as important as this requires a lustrous performance, and I firmly believe Richardson will do well once again.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @HeatBBL

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BBL Adda Notes: Numbers that will keep you ahead in playoffs

There is absolutely no margin for error from here on as Big Bash League 2020-21 season reaches it playoffs stage. Brisbane Heat kick off the round with a tough tie against Adelaide Strikers on Friday, January 29, while Sydney Sixers, who finished at the top of the BBL points table, lock horns with Perth Scorchers on Saturday, January 30.

Also Read: Brett’s watch list: Players to watch during BBL playoffs

Since five teams qualify for the round, the format of the Big Bash League playoffs is designed as such that the teams finishing first and second in the tally will have two opportunities to make their way into the final. The four BBL playoffs finals are known as the Eliminator, the Knockout, the Qualifier and the Challenger, and this is how it works:

The Eliminator: Fourth Placed Team vs Fifth Placed Team

The Qualifier: First Placed Team vs Second Placed Team

The Knockout: Third Placed Team vs Winner of The Eliminator 

The Challenger: Loser of The Qualifier vs Winner of The Knockout 

So with that being said, here we look at some key statistics that will help you ease past the first two playoffs.

Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers

Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers met twice in the ongoing Big Bash League season and it was the latter who emerged victorious in both of these fixtures. While the first one was a hard-fought victory, that second was, in fact, an easy route. Both teams are coming on the back of three victories in their last five outings, but what gives the Strikers an edge is their head-to-head record against Heat.

Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers head-to-head
Brisbane Heat Metrix Adelaide Strikers
13 Matches 13
5 Wins 8
- NR -
38.46 Win Percentage 61.54

In a total of 13 meetings between the two sides, Strikers have won eight while Heat have gotten just five victories. In addition, Strikers have also won three of their last five meetings with Heat; all of them have come in a row. Even the venue - The Gabba in Brisbane - favours Strikers, who have won five of their last six BBL matches there.

Adelaide Strikers hold the upright advantage against Brisbane Heat as they have averaged 171 runs in their last five outings while batting first. Heat, on the other hand, average 161.

Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers

Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head record favours the latter, who have won 11 of their 18 meetings in total. This season though, the teams have been on the neck of each other, having won a game apiece. Their first meeting in Perth was all about Mitchell Marsh’s brilliance, who not only scored a quick-fire half-century but also picked a wicket while bowling at a healthy economy of 6.00. In their second meeting in Canberra, Josh Philippe and James Vince combined to play a 106-run stand as Sixers reached their target of 164 in 18.5 overs.

Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head
Sydney Sixers Metrix Perth Scorchers
18 Matches 18
7 Wins 11
- NR -
38.8 Win Percentage 61.2

Perth Scorchers, however, have an underwhelming record at Canberra; the venue for Saturday’s game. They have won just one of their last three matches at the venue. The two teams have clashed twice in Canberra and have won a game apiece. One can rightly expect it to be a tight affair, but odds are stacked in Sixers’ side.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @BBL

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BBL Adda Notes: Numbers that keep you ahead in week 8

As the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 season heads into the final round of league phase, the teams will have their last opportunity to cement their place in the top-five.

With just four games to play in the regular season, only Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers have guaranteed a spot in the finals. 

The eighth week of BBL 10 features some mouth-watering clashes, and here are the numbers that will help you ace it:

Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder

The winner of Monday’s Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder clash will cement their place in the top-five. In their last five completed BBL matches this season, the Adelaide Strikers have won three matches while the Callum Ferguson-led Sydney Thunder have managed just two wins in the same number of matches. 

In the Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder head-to-head stats, Strikers have won seven out of 13 encounters while they have ended up on the wrong side on six occasions. Meanwhile, two matches had no results.

Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder head-to-head
Adelaide Strikers Metrics Sydney Thunder
15 Matches 15
7 Wins 6
2 Ties/NR 2
46.67 Win Percentage 40.00

Speaking of the venue, the last five games at the Adelaide Oval has seen an average of 29.8 boundaries and 11.4 sixes. On the other hand, batting first, the Strikers have an average score of 171 runs in their last five BBL matches, while Thunder have posted an average of 183 runs in the same number of matches. Interestingly, in their last outing, the Travis Head-led Strikers had defeated Thunder by six runs in a nail-biter. 

 Adelaide Strikers will start as favourites against the Sydney Thunder due to their recent form in the competition.

Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers 

Table-toppers Perth Scorchers have already locked their spot in the finals and they will look to continue their winning momentum against Brisbane Heat in their final league game on Tuesday. 

Captained by Ashton Turner, Scorchers have won four out of their last five matches in the league. On the other hand, Brisbane Heat need to beat Scorchers and then depend on other results to go their way if they are to make it to the top-five. Chris Lynn-led Heat have won just two of their last five completed BBL matches.

The Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head stats favour the latter who have won eight of the 14 encounters. Meanwhile, Heat have managed six victories. In their last meeting, Scorchers defeated Heat by 59 runs.

Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head
Brisbane Heat Metrics Perth Scorchers
14 Matches 14
6 Wins 8
- Ties/NR -
42.86 Win Percentage 57.14

If Scorchers are to bat first, expect them to score more than 170 runs, as they have averaged 177 in their last five BBL matches.

Riding on their winning momentum, Perth Scorchers will definitely start as the odd-on favourites against Brisbane Heat.

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers

Glenn Maxwell-led Melbourne Stars still have a chance to make it to the top-five provided Team Green defeat the defending champions Sydney Sixers on Tuesday but they will also need some help from other teams. Interestingly, Stars have won 3 of their last five matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

In the Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head record, the latter has an edge with 8 wins to their name in 15 encounters while the Stars have won on six occasions. One match ended with no result. In their last meeting, Daniel Hughes-led Sixers had beaten the Stars by just one wicket in a BBL thriller.

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head
Melbourne Stars Metrics Sydney Sixers
15 Matches 15
6 Wins 8
1 Ties/NR 1
40.00 Win Percentage 53.33

Batting first, the Stars have an average score of 172 runs in their last five BBL matches, while the Sixers have posted an average of 166 runs in the same number of matches. 

Considering the record at the MCG, Melbourne Stars are tipped to upset the defending champions.

Feature image courtesy: 2021 Cricket Australia.

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BBL Adda Notes: Numbers that keep you ahead in week 6

As the race for the top four intensifies in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 season, fourth-placed Adelaide Strikers take on Melbourne Stars at the Adelaide Oval on Monday. 

As things stand, Sydney Sixers top the BBL points table with 25 points from nine games, and the Travis Head-led side is closely followed by Sydney Thunder in second place with 23 points.

The sixth week of BBL 10 features some mouth-watering clashes, and here are the numbers that will help you ace it:

Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars

Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars are separated by two points although the Strikers have played a game more than the Stars and have one more win. 

Both the teams will be desperate for a win after ending on the wrong side in their last encounter. In the Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars head-to-head stats, the Strikers have won six out of the 11 encounters, so far.

Adelaide Strikers Metrics Melbourne Stars
11 Matches 11
6 Wins 5
- Ties/NR -
54.54 Win Percentage 45.46

In their last five completed BBL matches this season, the Adelaide Strikers have won just two while the Glenn Maxwell-led Melbourne Stars have managed a solitary win in the same number of matches. 

However, the Stars have been the better starters with the bat this season, so far. While Strikers have an average score of 162 runs in their last five BBL matches when batting first, the Stars have registered an average of 176 runs.

With both the teams in inconsistent form this season, Monday's encounter promises to be an enthralling battle with the Adelaide Strikers starting as favourites.

Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes

Third-placed Perth Scorchers lock horns with fifth-placed Hobart Hurricanes at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Tuesday. Both the teams are currently separated by two points with Hurricanes having 19 points from nine games and the Scorchers have 16 from eight matches.

In the Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes head-to-head stats, the Men in orange have won seven matches while they have lost six matches against the Hurricanes.

Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes head-to-head stats

Perth Scorchers Metrics Hobart Hurricanes
13 Matches 13
7 Wins 6
- Ties/NR -
53.84 Win Percentage 46.16

In the last five BBL encounters, however, Scorchers have been the in-form side with four wins while the Hurricanes have managed just two wins in their last five completed BBL matches. 

Riding on the winning momentum, Perth Scorchers will definitely start as the favourites against Hobart Hurricanes.

Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers

The top two teams of BBL 10 will take on each other at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday. Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder are currently separated by two points at the top of the BBL points table with 25 points and 23 points respectively. 

In the Sydney derby head-to-head stats, the Sixers have the upper hand as they have won 11 of the 17 encounters played between the two teams so far.

Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head stats

Sydney Thunder Metrics Sydney Sixers
17 Matches 17
6 Wins 11
- Ties/NR -
35.29 Win Percentage 64.71

Interestingly, both Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder have won three of their last five completed BBL matches.

Batting first, the Sixers have an average score of 184 runs in their last five BBL matches, while the Callum Ferguson-led Thunder have posted an average of 161 runs in the same number of matches. 

Sydney Sixers will start as favourites due to their superior head-to-head advantage over the Sydney Thunder.

Feature image courtesy: 2021 Cricket Australia.

 

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Brett’s watch list: Players to watch out for in BBL 10

Australia’s biggest T20 competition, the Big Bash League (BBL) is all set to get underway on Thursday, December 10, as defending champions Sydney Sixers take on Hobart Hurricanes at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

Though BBL was marred by the global pandemic, which saw several international stars pulling out of this edition, the tournament still has some of the best T20 names ready to play some swashbuckling cricket for the next two months. The league’s introduction of three new rules - the Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost -  will further ensure uncertainty to make the shortest format even more exciting.

With the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in a few months’ time BBL will also be a great opportunity for players to impress their selectors, with numerous T20 squads still incomplete and spots up for grabs.

Here are my top five players to watch out for during BBL 2020-21:

Glenn Maxwell - Melbourne Stars

After a sensational white-ball series against India, Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell has once again shown why every T20 franchise wants him in their playing XI. ‘The Big Show’ exhibited his T20 acumen yet again, proving himself to be a match-winner against any opposition on his day. Maxwell is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in BBL and the fortune of Melbourne Stars will largely depend on his form. Maxwell has amassed 1826 runs in 69 BBL innings at a strike rate of 150.28 so far, along with an average of 32.60. Interestingly, the 32-year-old has averaged between 33 and 39 in the last five seasons with a strike rate of 142 since the inaugural edition of the league. Maxwell can also chip in some overs with the ball and has a knack of getting crucial breakthroughs.

Dawid Malan - Hobart Hurricanes

World's top-ranked T20 international batsman Dawid Malan has joined Hobart Hurricanes for the tenth edition of BBL this season. The 33-year-old Englishman has the ability to score hundreds in the shortest format of the game. In the 19 T20Is that Malan has played so far, he has a staggering average of 53.43, accumulating 855 runs with nine fifties and one hundred to his name. The southpaw recently created history by attaining the highest-ever rating points for batsmen in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. I expect him to flourish in BBL this season and maybe become one of the highest run-getters in the league as well.

Joshua Phillipe - Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers wicket-keeper batsman Joshua Phillipe is one of the most exciting upcoming talents in world cricket at the moment. Phillipe, who had made his Indian T20 League debut this year playing for Bangalore, will look to use that experience in the Big Bash as well. The 23-year-old helped the Sydney Sixers secure the BBL 2019-20 title last season, amassing 487 runs. Barring that, Phillipe had also claimed seven catches and four stumpings from behind the stumps. Since leaving Perth Scorchers in 2018, Philippe has amassed 791 runs at a strike rate of just under 140, and I feel the youngster will be at his best this season as well.

Rashid Khan - Adelaide Strikers

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been one of the Most Valuable Players (MVP) in BBL. In the last three seasons, the 22-year-old has picked up 56 wickets in just 40 matches at an average of 17.66 while playing for the Strikers. His economy rate of  6.36 is the best in the league. The leg-spinner has also claimed 89 wickets in 48 T20I at an average of 14.81 and in my opinion, Rashid Khan is the best T20 spinner in the world right now and his great demand in the English T20 Blast, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well as the Indian T20 League hints at the enormous talent he is.  

Chris Lynn - Brisbane Heat

Brisbane Heat’s swashbuckling batsman Chris Lynn is the highest run-getter in the Big Bash League (BBL), accumulating 2332 runs in 75 matches at a strike rate of 150.35 and has an average of 37.61. The 30-year-old, who has been part of several T20 franchises across the globe, will need a productive BBL season this time if he plans to make the national squad ahead of the T20 World Cup. Lynn can certainly expect strong competition from his compatriots D’Arcy Short and Joshua Phillipe, who will also look to stay in contention for the Australia T20 openers slots for the upcoming T20 series and the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. While Lynn had a quiet Indian T20 League campaign, his enormous experience in the shortest format makes him a lethal batsman in any tournament.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @BBL

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Big Bash League 2020-21: Five players who need to make this season count

Big Bash League 2020-21 season promises to be another big affair. Set to begin on Thursday, December 10, the tenth edition of the competition has undergone several changes which includes bonus points, free-hit for wides and even substitutions. 

The alterations have received its fair share of criticism, but it will rather be interesting to see how the teams would utilize them. Furthermore, in what comes as a major boost, all eight teams will play BBL 10 in front of their home fans this season, subject to the pandemic situation in the country.

Big Bash League 2020 will have several players under the scanner, and here are five names who will need to up their ante during the course:

Alex Hales - Sydney Thunders

England batsman Alex Hales scored 272 runs in nine Pakistan Super League (PSL) games this season at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 148.63. Now, the figures are truly impressive on paper for T20 cricket, but note that a majority of his PSL runs came before the lockdown was imposed in Pakistan. In his last two outings of the competition, the 31-year-old has accumulated a mere 33 runs. In fact, since September this year, the England batsman has scored just 176 runs in 10 games, which translates to just above 17 runs per innings.

Hales has an above-average T20I record, but finding a place in the first team has been hard to come by. He played his last T20I against West Indies in March 2019, and a good BBL might uplift his stature as we near the T20 World Cup 2020.

Alex Carey - Adelaide Strikers

Matthew Wade’s surge in form means Alex Carey’s place in the Australian T20I setup is now in jeopardy. The 29-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has registered scores of 4, 14, 14*, 2 in his last T20 outings (first three in the Indian T20 League for team Delhi) and the Big Bash League 2020 gives him a perfect chance to resurrect his career in the shortest format. With the T20I World Cup looming, the Australia cricket team as well as the player would want to assert a claim in the upcoming T20 extravaganza as his figures in T20I (average of 12.57) certainly doesn’t help either party.

Chris Lynn - Brisbane Heat

Hard-hitting batsman Chris Lynn didn’t bat for the entirety of the Indian T20 League 2020, but went on to smash 154 runs off 55 balls in a Queensland Premier Cricket T20 match last week. Playing for Toombul, the 30-year-old scored 140 of his 154 runs in boundaries, hitting 20 sixes and five boundaries to help his team post 266/6. It may well and truly be a booster, one cannot overlook how sub-par he was in the 2020 edition of the Caribbean Premier League. Scoring a mere 138 runs in nine games at an average of 17.25, Lynn failed to score even a single half-century, with his best being 34.

Lynn has always found it difficult to get into the Australian T20I team, and BBL 2020 could well and truly be his last hurray. 

James Vince - Sydney Sixers

A month after testing positive for the global virus, England batsman James Vince will return to action, playing for Sydney Sixers. Vince’s average of 28.33 in T20I may look decent but his recent performances paint an entirely different picture altogether. His last cricketing action came in September 2020 in the Vitality Blast, and he failed to get past the 10-run run mark in four of his last six outings. With the competition within the team itself looking strong, Vince will have to put in an assertive performance in the tournament.

Colin Munro - Perth Scorchers

Colin Munro missed out on a New Zealand central contract for 2020-21 and that has deterred his performances in one way or the other. The 33-year-old has as many as six single-digit scores in his last seven outings. Coming fresh at the back of a 207-run tally in eight innings with an average and strike rate of 34.50 and 133.54 respectively, and a mere 11 runs in the Ford Trophy, Munro will have to be at his very best to regain the lost touch.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @OptaJim

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Big Bash League schedule, Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers and week 1 fixtures: Get live streaming in India

The tenth Big Bash League season is set to get underway on Thursday, December 10, with defending champions Sydney Sixers scheduled to lock horns with Hobart Hurricanes at the Blundstone Arena.

BBL 2020-21 will see a host of changes in terms of rules and regulations and will see as many as 61 games - including five knockout-round matches - to be played over the course of two months. The final will take place on February 6, 2021.

While the first half of the competition will be played in Hobart and Canberra, the tournament will eventually move to Launceston, Brisbane, Adelaide, Carrara Oval, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

As we approach the Big Bash League 2020 start date, here is all you need to know about the competition in the opening week.

Big Bash League 2020-21 fixtures and week 1 schedule

Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers will be the first game of the Big Bash League 2020 schedule. Melbourne Stars will then play two back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday against Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder respectively, before Renegades and Perth Scorchers lock horns in the final game on Saturday.

In Sunday’s doubleheader, Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers will return to action, this time against Adelaide Strikers and Renegades respectively.

All times in Indian Standard Time (IST)

DATE & DAY

 MATCH TIME (IST) VENUE
10 December, Thursday Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers 1:45 PM Blundstone Arena
11 December, Friday Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat 1:45 PM Manuka Oval
12 December, Saturday  Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder 10:35 AM Manuka Oval
12 December, Saturday Renegades vs Perth Scorchers 1:45 PM Blundstone Arena
13 December, Sunday Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes 8:40 AM Blundstone Arena
13 December, Sunday Sydney Sixers vs Renegades 1:45 PM Blundstone Arena

Where to watch Big Bash League 2020 live in India?

Sony Sports Network is set to provide Big Bash League 2020 live telecast in India. While Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD are expected to broadcast the 10th edition of the tournament, the channel might differ in case there are more cricket matches on a given day.

On the other hand, the live streaming of Big Bash League 2020 will be available on Sony Liv.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @BBL

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Marcus Stoinis scripts history in Big Bash League

Days after Glenn Maxwell played a match-winning knock against Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, Melbourne Stars opener Marcus Stoinis scripted history by smashing an unbeaten 147 from 79 deliveries – his first ton in T20 cricket – to record the highest individual score in the tournament’s history. His exploits helped the Stars register a mammoth score of 219-1 in 20 overs against Sydney Sixers at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Stoinis, whose inning was studded with 13 fours and eight sixes, surpassed D’Arcy Short, who held the previous record at 122* in 69 balls two years ago.

The Aussie all-rounder completed his century off just 60 deliveries and showed no mercy as he and Hilton Cartwright (59 off 40 deliveries) got an opening partnership of 207 runs, which is now the highest knock by an opening pair in the tournament and joint-fourth highest in T20 cricket.

 

Highest individual score in BBL:

147*: Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars)

122*: D’Arcy Short (Hobart Hurricanes)

117: Luke Wright (Melbourne Stars)

115: Jake Weatherald (Adelaide Strikers)

114: Ben McDermott (Hobart Hurricanes)

It looked like the Perth-born cricketer, who is still the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 378 runs, had something against Ben Dwarshuis. In the 19th over, the all-rounder hit Dwarshuis for three sixes and a boundary as the seamer ended his innings by conceding 61 runs in four overs. The 30-year-old capped off his knock with a six over the backward square leg as he remained unbeaten for the entire innings.

The opener scored 100 runs through boundaries and sixes, and this is now the highest by a batsman in BBL.

Stoinis’ historic knock comes as a huge sigh of relief for the Indian T20 League’s team Delhi, who went as far as Rs 4.8 crore for his signature. And well, they were amongst the early wishers on Twitters. “ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS! Stoinis finishes with an unbeaten 147 off 79 balls, the highest ever individual score in BBL history,” they wrote.

As far as the match is concerned, Stars registered a comfortable win by 44 runs to firm their grip at the top of the league table with 16 points from nine games.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @StarsBBL

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