CATCH THIS IF YOU CAN
Red faces as big-name teams flop in Big Bash
WE have moved past the halfway stage of the Big Bash League and we can already put two big-name teams in the bin.
The Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers have been horrible — in fact bordering on embarrassing — given the names on their playing list.
Another example of a list of big names not amounting to much unless they come together as a collective group and play for each other.
The fallout at the Stars will be heavily felt after holding on perhaps one year too long to the same group of players.
They have played without conviction and with apprehension. These two factors are a recipe for doom in the shortest format of our game.
Big gun overseas player Kevin Pietersen, who has been very good over the journey for the team in green, has already announced he will not seek a new deal.
The time is right for a clean out of their list and it may take some time to build a winning group, as most other teams will be locking away their main talent to ensure the Stars cannot strike.
The Sydney Sixers, at 0-6, have been an even bigger disappointment.
Australian selection and a few injuries to key players Moises Henriques and Steve O’Keefe have certainly hurt them.
Their two overseas players — Englishmen Jason Roy, until his last scintillating innings albeit in vain, and Sam Billings — have been major flops.
The Perth Scorchers are to be applauded, as they just continue to find a way to win no matter how many players they have missing. Until their unlikely loss during the week against the Thunder, they have been amazing.
A very strong bowling attack has been the cornerstone of their success, but now that AJ Tye and Jhye Richardson are away with the Australian one-day team, their depth will once again be tested.
Justin Langer will no doubt find someone to fill the void and play their role.
Adelaide Strikers, after a mass exodus in the off-season, have been impressive with a youthful batting line-up and an exciting bowling combination.
Rashid Khan, the young Afghani leg-spinner, has been a revelation and along with South African batsman Colin Ingram, they have secured two fantastic overseas players.
These two have played a big role in the Strikers’ success so far.
Losing captain Travis Head to Australian duties will be a big blow to their batting lineup. They have done enough already to play in the semifinals, but when the pressure comes in the sudden death games the youngsters will be tested.
My pre-tournament favourites, the Melbourne Renegades, have improved their list significantly from last season and have plenty of options to choose from.
The shock — but well-deserved — recall of Cameron White to the Australian oneday team will leave a big hole, as he has been their rock.
Aaron Finch played a matchwinning innings in Geelong last week but apart from that has not offered much this series.
Mohammad Nabi has been a shrewd signing: he has provided both wickets and economy in the powerplay. His departure will be sorely missed.
West Indian Kieron Pollard will hit town as his replacement and is capable of anything on his day. He can be very hit or miss, but when he hits, no one hits them bigger.
His little wobbly medium pacers will also be handy on the Etihad surface. They’re finals bound and should win the title.
Brisbane Heat, with the “Bash Brothers” Chris Lynn and Brendon McCullum, were looming as the real dark horse. But I fear with the injury to Lynn they may now fall off the pace.
They are still capable of scoring big at the Gabba. If they could finish top two and secure a home final, they may still go all the way.
Their bowling remains a concern, with medium-fast bowlers banging into the flat Gabba wicket not the ideal recipe.
The two leg-spinners Mitch Swepson and Yasir Shah need to play a big role if they are to contain opposition line-ups.
D’Arcy Short has launched the Hobart Hurricanes into finals contention with a rich vein of batting form.
The Northern Territory product reminds me of a young David Warner. He plays with absolute freedom and strikes them out of sight.
He may well be the hottest property in the upcoming IPL auction. Don’t be surprised if the youngster becomes an overnight millionaire. He gives hope to every club cricketer around the country.
Sydney Thunder have had a few surprising wins and, with a free-flowing Usman Khawaja helping Shane Watson in a thin batting line-up, they can now possibly threaten, but my gut feel is they will not have enough bowling quality to maintain the charge.
Mitch McClenaghan had a meltdown trying to close out the innings during the week. Execution under pressure separates the real class bowlers. The big New Zealander was wobbly when they really needed him.
A final question to all the fielding coaches in the country: what on earth is going on in this series? The fielding has been of village standard. In fact that’s being unfair to village cricketers.
The amount of high catches that have been grassed has been an indictment on the players and a poor reflection on an otherwise top-quality product.
Note: This article was filed before the performances and result of last night’s derby between the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars was known!