BBL 6 Match 5 - Recap

Perth Scorchers 7/197 (20 Overs) Defeated Adelaide Strikers 9/149 (20 Overs) 

1. Scorchers Look Like Their Old Selves - I tipped the Scorchers to finish outside the finals this year, but am immediately regretting that decision. They really dominated a decent Adelaide side here from start to finish, putting together an equally impressive batting and bowling performance. You have to be impressed with the depth of their batting power, with the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Adam Voges, Ashton Turner, Mitchell Johnson and Ashton Agar taking them all the way down to Number 9 in the order. With that sort of line up, the Scorchers only need solid starts, and in Michael Klinger, Ian Bell and Sam Whiteman I think they are capable of providing that platform. While most BBL sides have a clear strength, the Scorchers appear well balanced with David Willey and Andrew Tilley. 

2. Mitchell Johnson Doesn't Miss a Beat - Any doubts about the form or fitness of Mitchell Johnson were quickly put to bed as he starred on debut. Johnson claimed 3/33 from his 4 overs of bowling with good pace and added another dimension to the Scorchers'  attack. Johnson wasn't introduced until half way through the innings but was impressive in claiming the wickets of Brad Hodge, Kieron Pollard and Michael Nesser. The stinging yorker he delivered to Hodge was a message that Johnson will be a factor in BBL6, and the Scorchers may have found a replacement in an indirect way for Brad Hogg. 

3. David Willey Impresses Again - I have been critical of some of the fast bowling in BBL6, so I have to give David Willey a wrap. Straight away Willey was on the money and strangled any pretensions the Strikers might have had of chasing down the Scorchers 197. Tilley claimed both the very dangerous Ben Dunk for a duck and Jake Weatherland for 1 in his opening two overs, to basically end them as a contest. Dunk and Weatherland had feasted on the Heat's opening bowlers, however Willey swung the ball and didn't bowl any looseners. Tilley has emerged as a 50 over and T20 prospect for England in the last 18 months and has the ability to hit the ball out of the park down the order as well as being a strong fielder. 

4. Adelaide in Trouble - Until the Strikers can limit sides to under 180 they are going to struggle in their competition. In Both games so far their quicks have all struggled for any control or disciplined variation. Chris Jordan showed glimpses last night and was unlucky on a few occasions. Kane Richardson, like Jordan is an out and out strike bowler. They gambled on dropping Ben Laughlin but i don't think that really worked. As well as their bowling last night their batting failed to fire losing their first 5 wickets for just 66 runs. Big name players Travis Head and Keiron Pollard have yet to fire a shot in anger. At 0-2 the Strikers can't buried yet but their next game becomes a must win if they want to bounce back and mount a finals charge.

5. "The Lurker" has made a pretty solid start to his debut outing securing us 4 victories from 5 at the impressive strike rate of 80%! Lets hope he doesn't get too carried away over Christmas and is on point for Boxing Day when the BBL returns.