Bean-pole Billy Stanlake says Adelaide Strikers must take down Thunder star Usman Khawaja for season opening win
Adelaide Strikers gun Billy Stanlake says he’s out to steal Usman Khawaja’s Thunder ahead of the two sides’ Big Bash clash on Saturday.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Uzzy demands change after near-catastrophic spill
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Billy Stanlake loves the fast bowling cartel spearheaded by Pat Cummins and Strikers keeper Alex Carey cashing in at a ‘life changing” 2020 Indian Premier League auction.
However, Stanlake’s focus is now on stealing opener Usman Khawaja’s Thunder on Saturday in Canberra.
Stanlake and Adelaide Strikers teammate Rashid Khan were retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad while Strikers skipper Carey can finish his house current house renovations with $490,000 from Delhi Capitals.
Kolkata’s $3.2 million on the world’s No.1 speedster Cummins and Bangalore’s $810,000 outlay for Croweater Kane Richardson make for a lucrative two months across IPL 2020.
Watch every KFC Big Bash League match LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO on your TV or favourite device. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“It is pretty exciting stuff to unfold, we have Kez over to Delhi and nice to see a fast bowler get up there,” said Stanlake, who watched Cummins become IPL’s most expensive foreign acquisition with Strikers teammates.
“We all sat there and watched it unfold and it was exciting to see some guys lives change overnight.”
Stanlake appreciates his $100,000 pay-day fronting for Sunrisers – who first secured the 204cm tearaway in 2018 - across April-May next year.
“It is an amazing experience, the best tournament in the world and hard to explain just how crazy it is. I am sure there are a few excited boys going around the country,” said former Australian quick Stanlake.
With the IPL auction out of the way, Stanlake is focused on taking down Queensland teammate Khawaja in the Strikers opening Big Bash League clash against unbeaten Sydney Thunder in Canberra on Saturday.
Khawaja (66, 46) responded to his Australian one-day omission through a decisive, 99-run stand with England’s Alex Hales (68, 38) against champion Melbourne Renegades on Thursday night. South Australian veteran Callum Ferguson’s unconquered 73 ensured Thunder accounted for Brisbane Heat on Tuesday.
“If we can get him early we can put some pressure on the other two,” said Stanlake of Khawaja.
“Their top three is pretty explosive, we saw what Uzzie and Hales did on Thursday night and Ferg so that top three is crucial to break through early.
“We will have our plans.”
There will be no time to blow off the cobwebs against an in-form opponent in the capital concedes Stanlake, the tallest bowler in Australian cricket.
“Two get two away wins was a really strong start. We will have to be on our game straight away,” said Stanlake.
“We are looking to start off well, it has been a bit of a long build up for us.”
Adelaide will have Peter Siddle’s services against Thunder before the seamer joins Justin Langer’s Boxing Day Test camp in Melbourne on Sunday.
Stanlake isn’t feeling additional pressure to lead the Strikers attack in the absence of all time BBL leading wicket-taker Ben Laughlin, who has joined the Heat, Siddle and Michael Neser.
“It will be a different role for the quicks with Benny Laughlin going to Brisbane,” said Stanlake.
“I don’t put any extra pressure on myself, I want to be a match-winner, that is my mentality.”