BBL14 Quick Over: Big Bash stars quizzed on some of T20 Cricket’s biggest issues
A BBL title-winning captain has called for a major rule change to stop batters “basically cheating”. Find out more in our exclusive series talking to some of the BBL’s biggest names on T20’s big issues.
It’s a batters’ game – everyone knows that.
But Big Bash title-winning captain Moises Henriques reckons it’s time to even the ledger a bit, at least in Twenty20 cricket.
The Sydney Sixers star would like to see a radical rule change introduced to the BBL to punish batsmen who are ‘basically cheating’.
As part of News Corp’s ‘Quick Over’ series, Henriques said non-strikers who leave their crease early should be punished – and urged authorities should consider introducing “a camera or a buzzer” to stop batters trying to take advantage.
“The bowler has to bowl a free hit if he steps over the line, whereas the batters can leave early from their crease,” Henriques said.
“It’s basically cheating and yet we still have this traditional (attitude).
“(It’s) ridiculous that you’re not allowed to Mankad a batter. In T20 cricket it makes a huge difference if a batter is leaving early.
“I almost feel like there should be a camera or a buzzer, something the umpire shouldn’t have to watch, and there’s a point in time where the batter can’t leave that crease. And if he does maybe they lose a run.”
Another bowler-friendly proposal, tossed up by Sydney Thunder veteran Chris Green, was to reward bowling sides for notching a maiden.
Under Green’s plan, bowling sides would be rewarded with five bonus runs for every maiden that is registered in a T20 match.
“If a bowler bowls a maiden over, his team should get five extra runs – or the opposition is deducted five runs, as extras,” Green offered.
“It makes the last ball of a maiden over huge. If it’s second innings and you’re defending 140, and you bowl a maiden in the first over, then effectively you’re defending 145 from 19 overs.
“All the rules are focused around batting so I think there’s room to reward the bowlers.”
News Corp spoke to some of the BBL’s leading stars, including Tim Seifert (Renegades), Marcus Stoinis (Stars) and Tim David (Hurricanes).
Other ideas for potential BBL rule changes included:
– Additional reviews
– Bowlers being allowed two bouncers an over
– Longer power plays
– And, batters being allowed to use bigger bats
The stars were also quizzed on the likely breakout players of BBL14, which retired star they would like at their franchise and more.
Scroll down to see the full answers.
MOISES HENRIQUES (SIXERS)
1. Who’s the next big thing/breakout star hiding in your squad?
Lachlan Shaw. He’s a wicketkeeper-batsman like Flip, but if he plays he’ll play as a batsman. He’s a terrific fielder as well. I’m not saying he’s going to come out and be exactly like AB de Villiers and Jos Buttler, but he’s that type of player that can hit the ball into strange areas. He’s got a similar bat swing to Jos Buttler, but he’s able to find some really interesting pockets of the field as to where he hits boundaries. Really excited to see, if he gets an opportunity this year, how that looks. He’s going to be a player for us in the future.
2. Who’s your team’s biggest X factor?
Ben Dwarshuis. He had a great year last year and I’ve been facing him in the nets the last couple of weeks and he’s been an absolute handful. I felt like this year, when he got picked to play for Australia and then injured himself, leading into that game he’d been bowling so well. I’m thinking he’s just going to continue to grow. His confidence is getting higher and higher. I’m backing him for another big season this year and the rest of us riding his coat tails a little bit.
3. Who is the bowler you are least looking forward to facing this summer?
Matt Kuhnemann. I feel like he’s just a very good defensive bowler. Over the last couple of years his defensive bowling has come on. Especially last year when we played the Heat twice, I found him quite hard to hit.
4. What is one rule change you’d like to see introduced to the BBL?
Punish the non-striking batter for leaving the crease early. We’ve got all these penalties on bowlers, and they can’t overstep. The bowler has to bowl a free hit if he steps over the line, whereas the batters can leave early from their crease. It’s basically cheating and yet we still have this traditional (attitude). (It’s) ridiculous that you’re not allowed to Mankad a batter. In T20 cricket it makes a huge difference if a batter is leaving early. I almost feel like there should be a camera or a buzzer, something the umpire shouldn’t have to watch, and there’s a point in time where the batter can’t leave that crease. And if he does maybe they lose a run.
5. What’s your best BBL memory?
Winning the first BBL. That was pretty special being able to go out there in the first year, it was all happening. I remember running onto the field and because that led to us going over to the Champions League and the Sixers went through the Champions League undefeated and won that as well. It was just a really memorable time of my career, and the history there. And just being that is going back-to-back, but I think that first one was the most special.
6. Which retired star would be your first pick to join your side and why?
AB de Villiers. I find it very hard to go past AB de Villiers in T20 cricket. Not just his batting, he’s a great fella, a great fielder. I think he’d just fit into our cricket team really well.
CHRIS GREEN (THUNDER)
1. Who’s the next big thing/breakout star hiding in your squad?
Sam Konstas. He’s a little bit flavour of the month at the moment, but I just think he’s playing a lot of professional cricket and just looks like he’s got a heap of confidence and he’s got this natural flair about him that a young kid has. It reminds of Ollie Davies when he burst onto the scene, taking down Nabi for five sixes in a row and then I think he hit another in the next over for six sixes in a way. In a different way, in a Sam Konstas way, I think he’s going to be something special. Reverse ramping the Indians in the governor match, it’s very exciting.
2. Who’s your team’s biggest X factor?
Sherfane Rutherford. I think there’s a little bit of an unknown, to the Australian fan market. I’ve played a lot with and against him in the Caribbean and elsewhere around the world. He’s coming into this tournament in serious form in one-day cricket. Over the last year he’s averaging over 100 and recently got 100 in the T10 tournament as well. His ability to play on horrible pitches, as well as good pitches, is exciting. And he has that Caribbean flair about him. He is the x-factor.
3. Who is the bowler you are least looking forward to facing this summer?
Adam Milne. He’s a replacement bowler, so I don’t know how many games he’ll play, but I think he’ll do really well. Ex-Thunder player, good form. He’s going to be the hardest bowler to face.
4. What is one rule change you’d like to see introduced to the BBL?
Reward bowling side for maidens. If a bowler bowls a maiden over, his team should get five extra runs – or the opposition is deducted five runs, as extras. It makes the last ball of a maiden over huge. If it’s second innings and your defending 140, and you bowl a maiden in the first over, then effectively you’re defending 145 from 19 overs. All the rules are focused around batting so I think there’s room to reward the bowlers.
5. What’s your best BBL memory?
I’ve got two – my debut at the SCG, I had a lot of family and friends there. My first ever game, running out alongside Mike Hussey who became my Australian hero. Jacques Kallis, being born in South Africa, he was my all-time cricketing hero. I ran out alongside those two at the SCG in front of tonnes of friends and family for my debut game. Fast forward a year later, winning and lifting a trophy with the Thunder, including those two and add in Shane Watson, it was a dream come true for a youngster. Pretty special.
6. Which retired star would be your first pick to join your side and why?
Lasith Malinga. 6-7 I think holds the record. Throw him in with Lachie Ferguson and I think there’s two bowlers I wouldn’t want to face.
MARCUS STOINIS (STARS)
1. Who’s the next big thing/breakout star hiding in your squad?
I’m really excited about Hamish McKenzie coming over from WA, he’ll be super exciting. HIs style of bowling will work well in the Big Bash.
2. Who’s your team’s biggest X factor?
Ben Duckett was our first pick and play a big role for us at the top of the order and fill that space when he’s available. Brings a different aspect to our team. There’s a reason he plays.
3. Who is the bowler you are least looking forward to facing this summer?
I haven’t thought that far to be honest.
4. What is one rule change you’d like to see introduced to the BBL?
I usually steer clear from this sort of stuff, but I think if we’re making our national T20 side be as competitive as we can make it then things like the power surge and shorter powerplay makes it harder for middle order bats in the Big Bash to press their case and learn the way to play.
5. What’s your best BBL memory?
Just being involved in finals and winning or losing those finals it’s a great memory. Those whole seasons and camaraderie were good.
6. Which retired star would be your first pick to join your side and why?
It’d be Warnie and KP.
ASHTON AGAR (SCORCHERS)
1. Who’s the next big thing/breakout star hiding in your squad?
Cooper Connolly – I know some people know him but he hasn’t played much this year or over the last few seasons, with consistency I think he could be really good.
2. Who’s your team’s biggest X factor?
Lance Morris can change the game for us.
3. Who is the bowler you are least looking forward to facing this summer?
I’m not answering that one, not going to give anyone an inch.
4. What is one rule change you’d like to see introduced to the BBL?
I like the rules as they are. Maybe you could have more reviews but I think it’s okay as-is.
5. What’s your best BBL memory?
I’ve got lots of great memories but the 2016 title is my favourite at the WACA, an all-time great win.
6. Which retired star would be your first pick to join your side and why?
Adam Gilchrist and Virender Sehwag, they were my favourite two players growing up to watch and to have them in the Big Bash would be incredible.
TIM SEIFERT (RENEGADES)
1. Who’s the next big thing/breakout star hiding in your squad?
Will Sutherland – I have only just met a few of them but looking from the outside I think as an all-rounder and as a captain, he’s going to have a big future. He’s still young from a cricket point-of-view.
2. Who’s your team’s biggest X factor?
Jake Fraser-McGurk – How he plays, I think he could get off to a great start or Adam Zampa – He can win us games with the ball.
3. Who is the bowler you are least looking forward to facing this summer?
Lockie Ferguson – Just because you never like to get out to your mates. It will be exciting to play each other over here.
4. What is one rule change you’d like to see introduced to the BBL?
An extra bouncer an over allowed – I think they tried it in the IPL this year, two bouncers an over is a good one. Guys that are good at playing the pull shot, it can be an advantage for them. But also it gives bowlers another option as well if they are under pressure.
A 50 in 12 balls! Yes, just 12 balls! 😱@henrygayle did it for the Renegades, the equal-fastest half-century in the history of T20 cricket.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 17, 2020
It's No.13 in our BBL countdown: https://t.co/qoav3FOQtppic.twitter.com/dPY49ednxJ
5. What’s your best BBL memory?
Watching Chris Gayle pump it for the Renegades and get a 12-ball 50. That was pretty exciting.
6. Which retired star would be your first pick to join your side and why?
Chris Gayle or Brendon McCullum. Nathan Astle would be a good one. He kind of pumped it in that era and was kind of a bit before the T20 era wasn’t he? It would have been exciting to see what he could have done.
CHRIS LYNN (STRIKERS)
1. Who’s the next big thing/breakout star hiding in your squad?
I wouldn’t say breakout star, but I am hearing reports Brendan Doggett is bowling gas. We all know what he can do with the red ball – bowls fast, swings the ball and currently training with the Test squad. I am thinking he’s going to have a great performance with the white ball and become more of a household name in the Big Bash.
2. Who’s your team’s biggest X factor?
Fabian Allen – Just the fact no one has seen him. He might get limited opportunities if the top-order do their job and the bowlers do their job. But he’s just explosive, he’s a matchwinner and we love that Caribbean flavour.
3. Who is the bowler you are least looking forward to facing this summer?
I’m not going to tell you that. Who do I think probably is the best in the comp at the moment? I don’t think you can passed Jhye Richardson. He’s just done it year after year. He’s skilful, quick and I feel he’s that x-factor for the Perth Scorchers. They ned Jhye if they’re to win the comp.
Just watching some best of BBL highlights and wowee Chris Lynn’s 6 off Shaun Tait still gives me goosebumps pic.twitter.com/unhVXCNJsM
— SuperCoach Guns (@SupercoachGuns) November 28, 2021
4. What is one rule change you’d like to see introduced to the BBL?
Maybe bring back the big bats. I quite enjoyed those couple of years when they had no bat gauges and you could just stride out there with a big chunk of tree basically. We had these massive Gray Nicholls bats, they were awesome to use.
5. What’s your best BBL memory?
Besides the easy one, winning the comp in the second year, probably whacking (Shaun) Taity out of the Gabba I reckon. Got a little repost on the BBL social media the other day. You’d like to be as consistent as possible but the reality is, that’s not my game. I just to think I am box office and have a few wow moments. Hopefully a few more this year.
6. Which retired star would be your first pick to join your side and why?
Brendon McCullum – no need to say why. Everyone knows. We’re the bash brothers. Reunite the bash brothers.
JIMMY PEIRSON (HEAT)
1. Who’s the next big thing/breakout star hiding in your squad?
We’ve got some young guys coming through like Callum Vidler. He’s played a game for Queensland, bowls really fast. He’s coming in off an injury but I think he’s fully fit. And Will Prestwidge, played a game for the Heat during Covid times and showed us glimpses of what he’s got skill-wise.
2. Who’s your team’s biggest X factor?
You can’t look past Tall Paul (Walter). He provided us with all sorts of options last year. Michael Neser, he was our consistent guy last year, he’s one to watch with bat and ball.
3. Who is the bowler you are least looking forward to facing this summer?
Lance Morris, he bowls at a good pace. We’ll have them again in Perth on Boxing Day, it’s a good match-up. Hopefully we can use the pace and bounce of Perth Stadium.
4. What is one rule change you’d like to see introduced to the BBL?
I want to see a change, similar to the IPL, where you can bring in a player at the halfway point of the game. We saw it last year where a lot of teams would sub out a bowler and bring out a power hitter. I think something like that would be really cool. We saw some really high scores in the IPL. It pretty much meant you didn’t need to pick an all-rounder anymore because you knew you could sub out a full time batter or bowler at the halfway point. It pretty much made all-rounders obsolete but it made for some pretty cool scores when you had a power hitter come in at No. 8 or 7. It was cool to watch, they scored 200-plus frequently.
5. What’s your best BBL memory?
It’s hard to go past last year. Winning the BBL final after losing the year before in Perth, that was one of my great memories. Making my debut as well against the Thunder back in BBL04.
6. Which retired star would be your first pick to join your side and why?
We had a little snippet of AB de Villiers, he played three games for us back in 2018-19, we would’ve loved to have him longer. It’d be cool to ask him out of retirement to come and play an entire comp for us because he’s one of the best to ever do it.
Tim David sends it into the Gabba top deck! 🚀https://t.co/ejs6xq0Nlh#BBL10pic.twitter.com/hPGTkQSA5h
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2020
TIM DAVID (HURRICANES)
1. Who’s the next big thing/breakout star hiding in your squad?
We have pretty much the same list as the past couple of years. We’re excited about having the two overseas players – Shai Hope, who’s been playing amazing cricket, particularly in T20 he’s been aggressive and scoring runs quickly. Waqar Salamkheil, our wrist spinner, he’s going to win some games for us, that’s undoubtedly his role and why we picked him. The only real young guy who hasn’t played a heap of games is Mitch Owen. He’s started to put in some performances for Tasmania in the List A and First Class games so far this season, the boys talk about him improving a lot, it’s exciting to see what he could do if he gets the opportunity.
2. Who’s your team’s biggest X factor?
X-factor has a lot of different connotations. If Matthew Wade scores a lot of runs this season we’re going to be really strong, he’s leading from the front, he faces the new ball and it sets the tone. People who spend a lot of time with Wadey value him greatly.
3. Who is the bowler you are least looking forward to facing this summer?
Stoin. I’ve been training a fair bit with him, I get to bowl at him but he doesn’t bowl at me much. If I smack him I can give him good chirp.
4. What is one rule change you’d like to see introduced to the BBL?
Having the standard six-over power play like the rest of the world. It’s a tactical change. If you play the middle order internationally, you don’t have a power surge and have to score with the fielders out. That’s a challenge for the middle order. There’s no other competition in the world where you can wave your arm around and bring three or four fielders in.
5. What’s your best BBL memory?
When Nathan Ellis broke his rib last season but he kept on bowling afterwards because he’s a mad man. He didn’t know it was broken but we were pretty sure. He kept bowling, we said mate have a spell.
6. Which retired star would be your first pick to join your side and why?
Ricky Ponting, definitely, especially here at the Hurricanes. It’d be great to have him batting at the top of the order for us, and having his input around would be good.
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