Big Bash

[gsmith12 491]

Nice to see the heat put to the sword by the Adelaide Strikers.

[wisedog 352]

I agree Macca.

This is the first year I've watched the t20 and it's done its job in whiling away the summer nights.

Occasionally, you are treated to some really great hitting, as when Hussey and Kallis batted together last week and scored 90+ apiece. And Kallis again tonight.

The format's main flaw is that if the side chasing loses 4 or 5 early wickets, the contest can be over with 15 overs still to go. At least in 50over cricket you have the time to take stock for a while and shore up the innings. A few matches this year have been blowouts unfortunately.

I couldn't bear the thought of actually going to a game - the music between balls is enough to keep me away - but the crowds in Perth and Adelaide particularly have been really good.

I agree - it would be nice if there was some added nuance, perhaps winning or losing a bonus point for a big win/loss. Still, I suppose there are games of footy that are over by half time.

One other thing I'd like to see is a best of 3 final. Because it's such a short format, I think there's far more potential to get a result that doesn't reward the best team of the season, but I suppose all sports with a 'grand final' have that issue.

First year, I've really taken an interest as well and I quite enjoy it - really benefits, like the A-league, from the novelty of the 'marquee player'.

I still vastly prefer test cricket, but it has its place.

[Grapeviney 9,723]

it would be nice if there was some added nuance

There's already flashing stumps, loud music, fluorescent clothing and fireworks - how much more nuanced can you get!?!

[wisedog 352]

Haha, I mean a little more complexity in the gameplay, not just flashing stumps and fireworks.

[Macca 16,972]

Haha, I mean a little more complexity in the gameplay, not just flashing stumps and fireworks.

What you see is what you get wisedog.

Not only do I not compare t20 to test cricket, I've never really compared ODI's to test cricket - I see all 3 as separate sports with test cricket being miles ahead of the other 2 versions with regards to my preference.

t20's has a high appeal to the holiday crowd, women and young people - the eyes say it all and popular culture is popular culture.

Having said all that, I'm not in a hurry to watch the games ... what does interest me is the progression of this version of the game and what will happen to cricket in the future because of the presence of t20's - I'm certainly not concerned in a negative way though.

The overall interest in cricket in Australia is quite high and the crowds and TV viewers reflect that opinion.

[gsmith12 491]

Nice to see the Brisbane Heat put to the sword by the Perth Scorchers.

Puts paid to their chances.

[Macca 16,972]

That was one hell of a finish.

Lots of highlights but the KP & Maxwell partnership was terrific to watch

[gsmith12 491]

Nice to the Brisbane Heat put to the sword by the Sydney Sixers.

[Grapeviney 9,723]

That was one hell of a finish.

Lots of highlights but the KP & Maxwell partnership was terrific to watch

Yep that match was a cracker.

The replay on the final ball was inconclusive from what I could see, so I think they made the right call giving the batsman the benefit of the doubt.

Was also good to see a Melbourne jumper in the crowd at one point!

[Macca 16,972]

Yep that match was a cracker.

The replay on the final ball was inconclusive from what I could see, so I think they made the right call giving the batsman the benefit of the doubt.

Was also good to see a Melbourne jumper in the crowd at one point!

I could hazard a guess on who that wouldn't have been

[daisycutter 29,616]

Yep that match was a cracker.

The replay on the final ball was inconclusive from what I could see, so I think they made the right call giving the batsman the benefit of the doubt.

Was also good to see a Melbourne jumper in the crowd at one point!

i thought the video was fairly conclusive gv

one view clearly showed the stumps lighting up millisecs (couple of inches) before the ball (might) have hit the stumps

the conclusion being that his foot made contact with the base of the stumps first

those last two overs had everything

[Nasher 33,616]

Nice to the Brisbane Heat put to the sword by the Sydney Sixers.

Three posts in a row about the Heat being put to the sword, Smithy. Not a fan?

[Grapeviney 9,723]

I could hazard a guess on who that wouldn't have been

You were there Macca? Or Mrs Macca?

i thought the video was fairly conclusive gv

You must have better eyesight than me DC.. or at least a better telly

[Macca 16,972]

You were there Macca? Or Mrs Macca?

You must have better eyesight than me DC.. or at least a better telly

Ha!

This version of the game is rapidly gaining acceptance ... I've found the whole concept to be quite fascinating with regards to how it all fits into our summer. It's not going away in a hurry.

... and just when you thought we'd exhausted all avenues for new sports we've now got another one to deal with ... 'Fast4 Tennis' ... Lleyton vs Roger on ch9 right now. The sporting purists will be beside themselves with grief

[gsmith12 491]

Three posts in a row about the Heat being put to the sword, Smithy. Not a fan?

Correct.

[gsmith12 491]

Nice to see the Brisbane Heat put to the sword by the Melbourne Renegades.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Haha, clearly not a Heat fan gs?

Was a weird match last night. Didn't think a team would ahve so much trouble chasing 81 for victory.

Pattinson's 2nd ball of the match to bowl Burns was an absolute jaffa! Nothing Burns could do.

[gsmith12 491]

Haha, clearly not a Heat fan gs?

Was a weird match last night. Didn't think a team would ahve so much trouble chasing 81 for victory.

Pattinson's 2nd ball of the match to bowl Burns was an absolute jaffa! Nothing Burns could do.

Yeah mate, stems from being a passionate Victorian living in Queensland - nothing too serious.

The grief the locals gave me after they started to dominate the Shield comp after years in the wilderness was pitiful.

I'm a huge Burns fan and don't mind a few of the others, Young Alistair McDermott was my next door neighbour for several years during his tertiary schooling, nice fella.

Isn't it great to see Pattinson and Cummins on the comeback trail ?

[H_T 3,048]

Yes, Pattinson was awesome early.

Touch wood they are both injury free and in form approaching the Ashes mid year. It would be awesome if they were one day both playing for Australia in full flight.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Fingers crossed for the Pattinson/Cummins partnership in years to come. Could easily become the most dangerous new ball partnership in World Cricket.

Back onto last night though, thought it was really good the questioning between Ricky Ponting & Kevin Pietersen in the commentators box. I found it really insightful and interesting stuff. Actually opened up a new respect I have for KP and especially Michael Vaughan at how he managed & captained his team and was able to bring the best out in his team mates.

[Macca 16,972]

Fingers crossed for the Pattinson/Cummins partnership in years to come. Could easily become the most dangerous new ball partnership in World Cricket.

Back onto last night though, thought it was really good the questioning between Ricky Ponting & Kevin Pietersen in the commentators box. I found it really insightful and interesting stuff. Actually opened up a new respect I have for KP and especially Michael Vaughan at how he managed & captained his team and was able to bring the best out in his team mates.

KP has some strong opinions and that may rub people up the wrong way ... I like him and always have.

He's a gun batsman and adds a lot of colour and personality to the sport. I only wish he could come to some sort of agreement with the ECB so he could still play international cricket again. Sadly, I don't think that's going to happen.

[Grapeviney 9,723]

Back onto last night though, thought it was really good the questioning between Ricky Ponting & Kevin Pietersen in the commentators box. I found it really insightful and interesting stuff.

Me too TD. Thought Punter's questions were excellent, didn't dodge the hard ones and didn't let KP off the hook.

Was far more enlightening than the usual banter between commentators.

It's also been good to see some of the father-son players coming through, McDermott and Wessels, was a big fan of both back in the day.

[Go the Biff 3,434]

Back onto last night though, thought it was really good the questioning between Ricky Ponting & Kevin Pietersen in the commentators box. I found it really insightful and interesting stuff. Actually opened up a new respect I have for KP and especially Michael Vaughan at how he managed & captained his team and was able to bring the best out in his team mates.

Agreed. I thought it was brilliant. I've enjoyed the commentary teams on Big Bash. They have managed to strike a good combination of providing information and taking the pi55 out of each other

[DeeSpencer 25,717]

Solid win from the stars.

But they look much weaker now Tiffitt (sp?) comes in at 6 and having to play 5 bowlers. They need another all rounder - Stoinos - to bolster the batting and then need to hope Hastings, Bird and Beer in particular continue their good form and that they can find the 4th and 5th bowlers from either McKay or Boland and an all rounder. KP trotting out some overs tonight was a smart move.

Good to see Cam White in a little bit more like something resembling form before that horrible decision. The openers have not being playing well. KP is now the star batsman. Although Handscombe and Quiney are decent replacements and as I said they just need that one more all rounder.

[DeeSpencer 25,717]

Agreed. I thought it was brilliant. I've enjoyed the commentary teams on Big Bash. They have managed to strike a good combination of providing information and taking the pi55 out of each other

Love:

Ponting - wow Ch9 stuffed up not getting him

Flintoff - what a lad!

Mel McLaughlin- yep

Like:

Gilly - great bloke

KP - just for someone interesting

50/50:

Mark Waugh - plays the grumpy old man sometimes, but generally knows his stuff

Howie - bit of excitement, fair bit of knowledge, works well with the ex-cricketers

Nope:

Andy Maher - dead set moron

Damien Fleming - giant nose, small brain. Had enough of the avenue of apprehension and all it's synonyms. Carries on non stop