The first Matador BBQs One-Day Cup has been run and won. The Western Warriors broke a drought with their victory over NSW in a final played at the SCG in front of only a handful of people. There were big individual scores, tiny team totals, and everything in between.
Round 1 off BBL:03 saw the Stars get revenge over the Renegades, the Thunder continuing their two-tear long losing streak, a Hale-storm followed by a wash out and a finals rematch that featured some crisp hitting from Chris Lynn as he led the Heat to a repeat victory.
Amla and Kallis were pure class as usual, but the Aussies fought back through a maiden century to Ed Cowan and a third double century of the year to the unstoppable Michael Clarke. After day one, and then the wash out of day two you would have never expected Australia to be a very outside chance of victory on day five, but they were.
It’s almost over, there is just one match left – the final. The Aussies are gone after being obliterated by the Windies in the Semi, while defending champs England didn’t even make it to the Semis. The final is Chris Gayle’s West Indies against the home side, Sri Lanka – its pretty much anyone’s match, but if Gayle and co are on song like they were in the semi final against Australia then Sri Lanka will have an uphill battle.
South Africa, New Zealand, India and England all have international commitments that will stretch across BBL02, but there are still plenty of top quality international cricketers available. Here’s a quick look at six who weren’t involve last year, that could be options this time around.
Kat calls it quits, while the man who took his spot looks to rebuild. Cricket Victoria and the AFL are fighting over the MCG. Forrest replaces Mike Hussey on the plane to the UK. Domestic T20 gets soggy in the UK, and the return of Chris Gayle is put on hold.
Usain Bolt might play in the BBL, Gayle is back in the West Indies squad, Aussie bowling coach auditions, Pietersen calls it quits, international cricket comes to Canberra and Vodafone hangs up on Cricket Australia.