BBL 2019: Bat toss fail; Botha calls time; Feelin’ Philippe

It was a controversial introduction to the latest edition of the BBL — and now the pre-match bat toss is getting way out of hand.

Aaron Finch and Shane Watson look horrified by this botched bat toss.

Hills, flats — or a TV crew?

Yes, it should be oh so easy to throw a cricket bat up in the air but apparently as evidenced two nights ago before the Melbourne Renegades versus Sydney Thunder game it is not.

All respective captains Aaron Finch and Shane Watson could do was watch on in horror as the bat nearly took out the camera crew filming the segment.

A WILD bat flip results in the Thunder bowling first! #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/fgccW4TWuN

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2019

For Watson, the horror show continued from the moment he decided to send the Renegades in to bat and Finch whacked 54 off 38 deliveries. The punishment went on when the former Australia all-rounder was dismissed for 1 as his side fell 12 runs short of chasing down 152.

BOTHA’S BIG CALL

Johan Botha won’t play BBL finals. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Hobart Hurricanes veteran Johan Botha announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, effective immediately, just hours after the Hurricanes were shocked by his former side the Sydney Sixers.

Botha had “cited wear and tear on his body and sheer physical fatigue” as being behind his sudden announcement.

The 36-year-old has played all 10 matches for Hobart so far this season and took 0-12 from two overs against the Sixers, who charged past the Hurricanes for a nine-wicket win as young gun Josh Philippe blasted his side to victory with an unbeaten 86, along with a 74 not out from James Vince.

A former captain of South Africa’s one-day and T20 sides, Botha played five Tests, 78 ODIs and 40 T20Is for the Proteas between 2005 and 2012.

His Test career, which began against Australia in 2006 was short-lived and marred by early reports of a suspect bowling action, which led to a suspension.

Botha’s retirement leaves the Hurricanes with two vacancies on their list after English import Tymal Mills was ruled out on the eve of the tournament.

YOUNG GUN PHILIPPE MAKES A NAME FOR HIMSELF

Josh Philippe has announced himself as a star on the rise. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Sydney Sixers youngster Philippe set tongues wagging on the eve of the first Test with Sri Lanka thanks to a dynamic performance to get the Sixers home over the Hurricanes.

The 21-year-old WA product tore the Hobart attack to shreds with some daring batting that involved plenty of hooks and pulls and one audacious scoop shot off fast bowler Jofra Archer.

Josh Philippe REALLY wanted to play that scoop shot 😂😂😂 #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/jrvqMArihx

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 23, 2019

Philippe’s 86 not out off just 49 deliveries became the highest BBL score by a Sixers batsman and set the tongues of some experienced commentators wagging with former England skipper Michael Vaughan calling for him to make the Australian ODI team, with the World Cup on the horizon.

Josh Philippe is the player the Aussies should pick for the ODIs ........

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 23, 2019

Geeze this boy Phillipe can play. What a talent. Has got all the shots and can keep ok as well.#greenandgold

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) January 23, 2019

Philippe is a gun!! #BBL

— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) January 23, 2019

That could be a bridge too far but keep up this form and anything is possible — after all Philippe spent a large part of the summer learning from suspended Australia star Steve Smith.

In the days leading up to his breakout performance, Philippe had dinner with Smith and spent an evening picking his brains.

“He’s thrown me balls, he can’t now with his arm (after shoulder surgery), he looks like Robocop at the moment,” Philippe said.

“He’s been in touch with me quite a bit and he’s been a big help.

“He’s always really supportive, he messages me when I do well and always sees how I’m going.”

Philippe was a late call-up to the Sixers and had intended to spend the summer at home in Western Australia, having been offered a spot in the Perth Scorchers’ extended squad as a local replacement player.

However, when the Sixers offered a place in their starting XI as their first-choice wicketkeeper and a chance to train alongside Smith at NSW Cricket headquarters, he couldn’t pass it up.

The win moved the Sixers to second, behind Hobart on a packed BBL ladder, where they are just four points ahead of the sixth-placed Adelaide Strikers, who have a game in hand.

—With AAP

Originally published as BBL 2019: Bat toss fail; Botha calls time; Feelin’ Philippe