BBL Match 4 ' "Live" Halftime Update.
Hobart Hurricanes 6/200 (20 Overs) v Sydney Sixers @ SCG
1. D'Arcy Short Stars On Debut - I have to admit I know nothing about D'Arcy Short. However he had a debut to remember here carving not 63 from just 29 balls in an explosive assault at the top of the order. I must admit the strong left handed reminded by a bit of Travis Burt a player that has starred for the Hurricanes in the past. Short, showed no nerves what so ever on debut launching into several aerial assaults over the off and on side, What impressed me was his pure timing and simplicity of his shots. He cut and drove with real authority here and targeted the Sixers vulnerable bowlers in the power play. Short has played just 1 first class game for Western Australia and the 26 year old will clearly be getting a bit more video time from opponents int he next couple of weeks. The Hurricanes look like they have found their explosive opener for this series, making them a far more dangerous side,
2. Sixers Quicks Still a Worry - I thought the Sixers were fortunate to only go for 159 on Tuesday because the Thunder shot themselves in the foot with some soft dismissals. Here their tactics and their execution was again well off the money and they were punished by a stronger bating line up. Their best bowler in the Powerplay on Tuesday was Steven O'Keefe yet their choose not to introduce him until the 6th over. The 2 bowls that went the journey in the power play on Tuesday was Dwarshish and Mennie and once again they were far too predictable here. The Hurricanes clearly targeted both and were able to rack up 64 in the first 6 overs meaning it's back to back games for the Sixes attack conceding over 60 in the power play. Sean Abbott and Doug Bollinger were not much better in their first couple of overs bowling short and wide too often. Captain Moises Henriques cut a frustrated figure in the field.
3. Christian a Competitor - Dan Christian might not be everyone's cup of tea but he is a real competitor on the field. The 33 year old firebrand has had his issues with his temper however it's made him the cricketer that he is. He never gives and inch and always take the game to the opposition. Every team needs a couple go nigglers and blokes that are not afraid to get under the skin of the opposition. Christian was another youngster who was brave enough to leave NSW when he was young for a chance to rise to prominence rather then sit and wait. He broke into the South Australian team, and went to play 19 ODI's for Australia. Now at Victoria, Christian might have burnt a few bridges, but I bet if he is in your team he would be a very popular guy that is highly respected for his competitive fire.
4. SCG Angles Require Thought - Then T20 cricket curst onto the scene many considered it a hit and giggle without much though or tactics behind it. Nothing could really be further from the truth now. Not only is it highly tactical but it also requires nous in terms of how you "defend" particular grounds, The SCG BBL games often play on the far side of the square meaning a very short boundary square of the wicket on one side. Teams would spend more then a few minutes discussing with their bowlers how to best "defend" the ground. For example bowling so most the shots are hit toward the longer side of the ground with less chance of going for boundries.
5. The Lurker In Trouble - His perfect record looks in real strife here. The Sixers will need to be at their very best to get 201 despite playing in ideal batting conditions and with the short boundry in play. The Hurricanes are likely to come out hard with Tait and Broad in the hope of getting a couple of early wickets and putting the game to bed..