TOPIC:

Finally the end of the Big Bash season is in sight, it seems to have dragged on for months and not very excitingly I might add.
The Scorchers pick up the Wooden Spoon for what can only be termed a horrific performance over the Summer.
Some major changes needed in the squad and leadership department me thinks.
From this seasons squad I would be surprised if half of them are there next year-

Safe- S.Marsh, M.Marsh, Turner, Inglis, Bancroft, Richardson, Coulter-Nile, Agar, Kelly, Behrendorff

Unsafe- Klinger (Retired), Willey, Qadir, Cartwright, Paris, Whiteman, Tye, Terry, Bosisto

Target- Short, Stoinis, Phillipe

I havent included the young blokes like Green, Hobson, Hinchcliffe, Guthrie, Hardie, David etc as it is probably too early to make a call on them.

The big difference this season has been the lack of control by the bowlers. Scorchers batting has never been the best in the competition but in the past the bowlers have been able to defend totals as low as 130. This year they have struggled to keep teams below 170. Other teams seem to have worked out Andrew Tye and they also lack a holding spinner type role in the middle overs which Brad Hogg used to do so well. The only positive from the bowling point of view was the emergence of Matt Kelly
Next season they need to look at recruiting a quality top order batsman to replace Kllinger (ideally one of the West Aussie boys like Short or Phillipe but an international player if that doesnt work) and a good spinner.

The problem now for the BBL is that they are competing with the Bangladesh Premier League for overseas 20/20 players and many of these guys are going there for more money As a result the quality of the cricket in the BBL has fallen away dramatically. The sponsors want the Australian test players like Cummins to be available more often for 20/20s and I have a horrible feeling that the test schedule may be pushed aside even further next year to facilitate this.

Lucky for CA all summer sports are down on TV ratings and attendances.A-League,NBL+AFLw is off to a slow start.
Last year's ODI final on channel 9 had 1.13 million watching the final.This year Foxtel had 285,000.
Big Bash crowds have dropped from 31,000 two years ago to just above 21,000 now.
Last year's BBL channel 10 averaged 968,000 on the Tv.This year Foxtel 195,000 per game and channel 7 has 658,000 per game.
So back to a 8 game 6 week season.Play 1 side two times or add 1new team.4 home+ 4 away games.Start mid December and play the GF on the Aust day long weekend.

Daniel Worrall now back for his third game for the Melbourne Stars.After returning from a back injury.When playing in the Shield for the SA Redbacks early Dec 2018.He has bowled well in his first two Stars appearance. And two wickets in his first over including Wade.If his body can hold together has to be considered for the ODi world cup or ashes.

Worrall is a genuine swing bowler who would be suited to Pommy conditions GTR.

Beasley Hutton wrote: Worrall is a genuine swing bowler who would be suited to Pommy conditions GTR.

He should of also got Short 1st ball in his second over.No regulation Gully in place.Bailey getting the Hurricanes back in the match.
BH is he the only First class cricketer in AU .That a genuine swinger atm

gtrxuone wrote:

Beasley Hutton wrote: Worrall is a genuine swing bowler who would be suited to Pommy conditions GTR.

He should of also got Short 1st ball in his second over.No regulation Gully in place.Bailey getting the Hurricanes back in the match.
BH is he the only First class cricketer in AU .That a genuine swinger atm

Theres a few around GTR like Bird, Sayers, Copeland etc but Frankie Worrall swings it at a decent clip.

Geez Faulkner is past it.....the "finisher" looks well n truly finished....can see the Stars going all the way now....think the BBL head honchos will be hoping for a Melbourne GF to reclaim some of the lost crowd numbers and money.

Freezin wrote: Geez Faulkner is past it.....the "finisher" looks well n truly finished....can see the Stars going all the way now....think the BBL head honchos will be hoping for a Melbourne GF to reclaim some of the lost crowd numbers and money.

Was reading this today Freeze.All Vic finals a big crowd.Melb v Syd GF is a massive TV rating.BBL ratings are still strong despite the monter marathon season.

Yet again a team finishing top of the ladder after the qualifying rounds gets knocked out by the 4th placed team in the semis. 6 out of 8 years now I think. The calls for a "page' system of finals will grow now to give the top 2 teams a double chance.Hobart had a dominant season but have been knocked out because they had one bad game.Some people would say thats T20 cricket I guess.