KFC BIG BASH, WHAT A HIT!
Domestic Cricket in Australia has witnessed a cult following in the last week or so. Why one must ask? The KFC Big Bash Twenty 20 competition has brought crowds never before seen at domestic cricket fixtures. It has not dissapointed the large crowds that have flocked through the gates. The Big Bash have allowed teams to lure big name imports such as Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Ross Taylor and DJ Bravo. This is great for Australian Cricket!
Some of the highlights from the first six games are:
- Chris Gayle's innings in his first appearance for the Retravision Warriors(WA). He was amazing with the bat. He had 40 runs off 16 balls before retiring hurt to what looked like a rib injury. He absolutely smashed everything that came to him, it looked so easy for him. The crowd was so dissapointed when he retired but he came back on when the game was in doubt. Very courageous and showed he was in Australia to win not for a holiday, however he could not help his side to victory.
My favourite match of the tournament so far has been the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues vs the Tasmanian Tigers. The opening batsman for both sides were unbelievable. First of all it was David Warner who set the record for the fastest fifty off just 18 balls. Warner finished with 67 off just 24 balls before being run out in a mix up with Phil Hughes. What a bad way to get out when seeing the cricket ball like a beach ball. His innings included 6 fours and 5 incredible sixes. Tasmania could have been facing a 250 run total to chase if Warner had stayed in but the boys in blue managed 195. A great total for a twenty overs innings. The tigers came out firing, Tim Paine had a chance to equal Warners fastest fifty on the same night. His innings was superb apart from the ordinary shot he played to get out. A very entertaining fixture! Hats off must go to young Steve Smith from the Blues who took 4 wickets, he is developing into a great spin bowler now under the watchful eye of The King of Spin Shane Warne. - What a thriller the Blues vs Victorian Bushrangers match at the MCG turned out to be. Warner continued his fine form with 40 runs off 20 balls giving the Blues a great start building a healthy 60 run partnership with Phil Jacques whom replaced Phil Hughes who got a late call up to the Aussie Test Team. The Blues gave the Vics a total of 179 to chase down. An opening partnership of 69 by Brad Hodge and Matthew Wade gave the Vics the upper edge early. But with quick wickets taken by the Blues the tide had turned their way. In came David Hussey who smashed 38 runs off 16 balls to put the game in the balance. Victorian import Dwayne Bravo stepped up and led the Vics to an astonishing victory. The crowd of 26000 were certainly treated to something special. There were brilliant catches taken by the Smith boys from the Blues, both of them took remarkable catches on the boundary.
LOGO: http://www.qldcricket.com.au/images/Logos/KFC_Twenty20BB_CMYK%20jpg.JPG
PHOTO: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/1/14/1231939680915/David-Warner-001.jpg
PHOTO: http://static.cricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/84800/84864.jpg
It's interesting how "Australian" cricket it, and how into it people get. I know Melbourne Cup is "The Race That Stops The Nation" but I think cricket has a far more enduring place in our hearts.
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