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BBL Agenda: Latest talking points, highlights from the Big Bash League

Cooper Connolly’s rise from BBL final hero to Perth Scorchers top-order star has been swift. Now, there’s a call for him to be fast-tracked to the Test side.

Tim MichellTim Michell
@tim_michell
6 min read
December 29, 2024 - 4:00AM
News Sport Network
Vince leads Sixers in all-time run chase

This summer’s Big Bash League is flying by, with the finals fate of several teams already close to being decided.

We dissect this week’s biggest talking points in the BBL Agenda.

1. SURGE MENTALITY

Chris Jordan knows the impact a power surge can have better than just about anyone.

A veteran of 387 T20s, Jordan has been the go-to man for much of his career in the two-over period which can turn a T20 game on its head.

And even Jordan, after so long perfecting the art, concedes it is still a “lottery”.

“You just have to rely on execution and judge yourself on that,” he told Channel 7 during a Hurricanes match this week.

What has become apparent this tournament is the risk-reward nature of hitting the button on a power surge.

In the first 25 power surges activated in BBL14, only six passed without a wicket falling.

Melbourne Stars launched their surge at the first available opportunity against Sydney Sixers on Boxing Day and lost Glenn Maxwell on the last ball of the second over.

The decision completely stalled the Stars’ momentum and ultimately cost them victory.

David Warner, speaking on Fox Cricket, summed it up best.

“We know what happens with the surge,” he said, pointing to the likelihood of a wicket falling.

The power surge is activated during a Scorchers home game. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
The power surge is activated during a Scorchers home game. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
The Sixers celebrate grabbing the wicket of Glenn Maxwell during the power surge.
The Sixers celebrate grabbing the wicket of Glenn Maxwell during the power surge.

Sure enough, Maxwell holed out off the bowling of Ben Dwarshuis.

The Stars certainly aren’t the only team guilty of a poorly-timed surge.

There have been several occasions already this season where a team has held its surge back, only for two set batters to be dismissed.

The first Sydney Smash of BBL14 was a glaring example.

Cameron Bancroft and Ollie Davies had put on 88 runs and were motoring towards a big total until Davies was caught in the 14th over.

The Thunder was then completely strangled, losing 2-10 in the surge overs (15.1 to 17).

“I just wonder if the Thunder are ruing not taking the surge when Davies was out there with Bancroft,” Michael Vaughan noted in commentary.

That was one of three times so far where two wickets have been lost in the power surge, which has been the defining period in a host of matches already in BBL14.

2. SURFACE PRESSURE 2.0

The ground condition at Marvel Stadium for the clash between the Renegades and Scorchers was a blight on what has otherwise been a very positive start to BBL14. TV viewership and crowd numbers are up, but the good vibes turned to widespread condemnation when fans saw the state of the Docklands turf. No one envies the ground staff having to turn around the grass in less than a week after the RMIT Graduation. But the issue has led to several pointed questions including whether the Renegades should be shifted to the MCG. Lisa Sthalekar had the strongest take, calling it an embarrassment and an “absolute joke”. Perth showed its quality by almost pulling a win out of nowhere despite getting the worst of the conditions.

Is the ground at Marvel up to standard?

3. COOPER THE TEST BOLTER?

As Cooper Connolly dug on a juicy Marvel Stadium wicket last week, thoughts turned to the Test player he might one day be. The Scorchers No. 3 was 12 off 22 balls before he exploded against the Renegades, blasting 54 from his last 28 deliveries. Connolly might only have played four first-class matches, but the 21-year-old has already represented Australia A and featured in four white-ball internationals.

Former Victorian gloveman and BBL coach Darren Berry even suggested Connolly should be in the frame for the Test tour of Sri Lanka, which starts next month. Berry tweeted: “Cooper Connolly is a younger version of Travis Head. Still raw but clubs the ball very hard … A decent option at No 6 in our Test Lineup in Sri Lanka as he bowls reasonable LAOS (left-arm off-spin) to support Lyon.” Watch this space.

Connolly hits the ROOF at Marvel

4. MCSWEENEY’S REVENGE MISSION

What a statement from Nathan McSweeney on his return to the Brisbane Heat. After being tormented by Jasprit Bumrah, McSweeney slotted in at his preferred No. 3 and proved the Heat matchwinner with 78 from 49 balls. Criticised for showing a lack of intent in his three Tests, McSweeney upped the ante when it mattered against Adelaide Strikers, finishing with 10 fours and two sixes. “Marnus just said it’s not where it starts, it’s where it ends. A good story always has its ups and downs. Hopefully when I finish and I’m all done I can look back on this and it was a great learning curve,” he told Channel 7.

McSweeney answers axing with epic knock!

McSweeney has endeared himself to Aussie cricket fans through the class he has handled himself with since being axed for Sam Konstas and is set to play a major role in the Heat’s push for back-to-back titles.

5. THE NEW FINISHERS

Move over James Faulkner. Ben Dwarshuis and Nick Hobson are fast establishing themselves as two of the BBL’s best finishers. Dwarshuis clubbed 14 off six balls against the Renegades at No. 8 and slammed 20 off eight balls five days later in the Sydney Smash. Dwarshuis has struck at 152 or better in the last four seasons and looms as a key low-order weapon should Sean Abbott remain with the Test squad. “Just trying to stand still and swing hard and it’s been nice to connect with a few early on in the year,” Dwarshuis told Fox Cricket.

One of the biggest question marks about the Scorchers this season was how they would fill the void left by Laurie Evans after he was poached by the Renegades. Hobson produced two matchwinning cameos in Perth’s opening four games.

Jake Fraser-McGurk is enduring a form funk to start BBL14.
Jake Fraser-McGurk is enduring a form funk to start BBL14.

6. EVANS DEFENDS MCGURK AMID POOR RUN

Jake Fraser-McGurk and Josh Brown’s power-packed partnership has not got off to the start Melbourne Renegades were hoping for. Since the start of Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan, Fraser-McGurk has only passed 20 twice in 11 innings. Renegades teammate Laurie Evans leapt to his defence last week, telling SEN: “We’ve got to remember, Jake’s a 22-year-old guy. He’s miles ahead of the game. A lot of cricketers, as batsmen, you start to peak into your mid-20s into your late-20s, even into your thirties. The fact that he’s doing what he’s doing at such a young age is a credit to him and you can’t have it both ways. You can’t have someone trying to hit it into the top tier without some risk.” Watch out when the Fraser-McGurk-Brown pairing does come off.

Riley Meredith celebrates dismissing Finn Allen.
Riley Meredith celebrates dismissing Finn Allen.

7. FINN ALLEN’S WOES

There was plenty of excitement about what big-hitting New Zealander Finn Allen would bring to the west when he inked a two-year BBL deal. But the 25-year-old, who boasts a career strike rate of 168 from 130 T20s, hasn’t lasted beyond the first over yet. In four matches for the Scorchers, Allen has been dismissed on the second ball twice, the third ball and the fifth ball, making 10 runs in four innings.

Shane Watson, who has coached Allen in Major League Cricket, said he had no doubt Allen’s fortunes would turn. “He is an incredibly skilled batter. He can just stand there and hit really good shots. He’s incredibly powerful just with traditional cricket shots,” Shane Watson said on Fox Cricket.

8. STRIKERS’ 2000-RUN CLUB

There might never have been a better credentialed batting line-up in BBL history than Adelaide Strikers’ this summer. Of the 22 players who have made more than 2000 runs in BBL history, five are in the Strikers squad for BBL14 – Chris Lynn (3770), D’Arcy Short (3052), Jake Weatherald (2152), Matt Short (2033) and Alex Ross (2005). Despite this pedigree, Adelaide has lost three close games in its first four matches and badly needs a change in luck if it is to make finals in its first season under Tim Paine.

9. JAMIE FOR MVP?

Matt Short has won the past two BBL MVPs and the early frontrunner for this year’s gong is also playing in the City of Churches. Overton showcased his all-round prowess by scoring 30 or more runs in three of Adelaide’s opening four games and also took two wickets in three of those fixtures. The Strikers’ campaign might be on the brink, but it’s through no fault of Overton. Adelaide has tried Lloyd Pope, Short and Liam Scott to support Overton at the death – maybe Brendan Doggett is the answer?

Peter Siddle has been one of Melbourne Stars’ best bowlers in BBL14. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty Images
Peter Siddle has been one of Melbourne Stars’ best bowlers in BBL14. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty Images

10. WHY IS HE RETIRING?

I don’t think anyone would begrudge Peter Siddle starting the next chapter of his life at the end of BBL14.

But if he really wanted to, he’s shown he’s good enough to go around again.

I’ve got huge admiration for the way Siddle has adapted his style, even into the latter years of his career.

He only played 20 ODIs and two T20s for Australia but has developed new tricks in the twilight of his career with the white ball in the BBL.

It’s only three years since, as a 37-year-old, Siddle took five more wickets than any other player and finished with 30 scalps in BBL11.

There’s an argument Siddle is Melbourne Stars’ best bowler so far this tournament and it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if those behind-the-scenes tried to twist his arm into rethinking his retirement and signing on for BBL15.

Originally published as BBL Agenda: Latest talking points, highlights from the Big Bash League

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