BBL 6 Match 5 - "Live" Half Time Recap

Perth Scorchers 7/197 (20 Overs) v Adelaide Strikers @ WACA 

1. Ian Bell A Class Act - Ian Bell looks far from a fading force as he propelled the Scorchers innings in his debut in the BBL. You don't score 22 Test centuries and lose it over night and, despite being out in the cold as far as English selection goes, Bell looks exactly the same quality and class player he has been for a decade. Bell was one of the few English players who could deal with the genuine pace and bounce at places like Perth, and I am sure that went into the Scorchers thinking when they recruited him. Bell, unlike some English players, is a fantastic player off the back foot and seems to revel in the bouncy conditions. A very easy player on the eye, he looks to have all the time in the world when in rhythm. 

2. Mitchell Marsh is a Brutal Player - The way Mitchell Marsh batted in Test cricket was just so outside his natural game it made no sense. However I totally understand it, given the pressure he was under. At Number 6 in Test cricket, he wanted to show everyone he wasn't just a basher and could score hundreds in a text book way. In doing so, he completely went into his shell and went against his natural instincts. I think it's fine he was dropped as I don't think he was ready. I think he should go back to Shield cricket and just play his natural game, which is bash the ball to all parts. In short form cricket, he is one of the first names on the team sheet with his ability to clear the pickets with ease and bowl at good pace. 

3. Ashton Turner Delivers - Ashton Turner's 44 from 16 balls really changed the momentum of this game. Turner only averages 17 from 34 T20 however he showed he has some raw potential here. He has very long levers and his ability to sit back in the crease and hit the long ball is the perfect recipe for the short straight boundries at the WACA. With the likes of Mitchell Mash, Turner and Mitchell Johnson in the middle and lower order to call upon, no opposition is ever in total control against the Scorchers. 

4. Big Call to Drop Laughlin - I was very surprised to not see Ben Laughlin's name on the Strikers team sheet. With 112 wickets from 71 T20s at a decent economy rate of 7.76, it was a big call from the Strikers' hierarchy to replace him with youngster Billy Stanlake. Laughlin was well below his best in his first outing in Adelaide, however has been a proven performer at BBL level with his death bowling particular handy. The Strikers didn't look to have a particularly good death bowler in their line up and paid the penalty late in the innings.  Stanlake didn't bowl badly but failed to pick up a wicket going for 34 from his 4 overs. 

5. Chris Jordan Struggling - Chris Jordan enjoyed the extra pace and bounce on offer at the WACA, bowling at high pace during his 4 overs. However their are still a few question marks over whether he will provide good value for the Strikers based on his first couple of outings. Jordan was very expensive here going for 49  off his 4 overs, while picking up 2 wickets. Jordan is no doubt there to claim a few big wickets and here he did by knocking over Mitchell Marsh and David Willey but he was still a mixed bag overall. 

6. The Lurker was confident the Scorchers could get up and running with a victory. He would have to be pretty confident here at halftime with the Strikers needing   After suffering a loss in the early game today the last thing The Lurker needs right now is to get a doughnut from 2 games! The last thing we need is him chasing his losses!