BBL Agenda: Biggest talking points from the first week of Big Bash League season 14

Melbourne Stars’ BBL campaign could be over before January after a lacklustre start to BBL14. Plus, the biggest talking points of the opening week analysed in the BBL Agenda.

The Big Bash League never ceases to throw up talking points.

The opening week of BBL14 has delivered squad chaos, a 31-run over and what is sure to be one of the catches of the summer from Ben Duckett.

Tim Michell wraps up the hits and misses, with one contender already fighting to save its season.

Marcus Stoinis and his Stars face a huge fight to make BBL14 finals.

WHERE TO FOR THE STARS?

Last season it took five and a half wins to finish in the BBL top four.

After succumbing to Adelaide Strikers on Friday night, Melbourne Stars have seven games left to salvage what is shaping as another disappointing campaign.

The Stars have gone down to Perth Scorchers (six wickets), Brisbane Heat (eight wickets) and the Strikers by 15 runs.

While Glenn Maxwell and Ben Duckett were missing, the Heat loss was the most glaring. Brisbane was without Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne and injured import Tom Alsop.

Tom Whitney was on debut, Will Prestwidge playing his fourth BBL match and Jack Wood his third. While new skipper Marcus Stoinis looks steeled for the challenge, pressure is already mounting on him and coach Peter Moores.

“It’s a pretty sombre dressing room at the moment, because we know we could have chased it down,” Moores said after the Strikers loss.

Moores also conceded the Stars “have got to start winning quickly”. It’s feasible their campaign could be kaput by Saturday with matches against the Sixers and Thunder this week.

Lloyd Pope bounced back after being taken for 31 off an over in Adelaide Strikers’ opening game. Picture: James Elsby/Getty Images

BACKING THE POPE

Tim Paine flagged during pre-season that one of his coaching edicts was going to be a two-pronged spin attack.

It would have been glaring if the Strikers had gone away from that pledge one match into their campaign after Daniel Sams’ brutal display against Lloyd Pope.

Instead, the Strikers backed Pope to bowl key overs against Melbourne Stars and he delivered with 3-21. Pope said after the Stars win: “S*** happens, sometimes. But I want the ball in my hand to take wickets and try to win games.”

It was clear skipper Matt Short learned from his mistake in Canberra, using Jamie Overton to kill the game in the 19th over before he bowled the 20th with Peter Siddle and Doug Warren at the crease.

The 19th over to Daniel Sams:

6 6 wide 4 6 4 4

31 runs off the over, and here they are #BBL14 👇 pic.twitter.com/pDV3ZcuQRY

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 17, 2024

Josh Inglis stayed with the Test squad rather than linking with Perth Scorchers. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

TEST SQUAD SHENANIGANS

Perth Scorchers know a thing or two about winning through adversity.

Who could forget their title win two years ago after spending the campaign on the road due to Western Australia’s strict Covid lockdown?

So far this campaign, Adam Voges has had to deal with the loss of Josh Inglis to the Test squad, a surprise Jhye Richardson call-up and an injury scramble leading into round 1.

Inglis and Richardson both played against Hobart and Saturday before linking up with the Test squad. Adelaide lost Brendan Doggett and Sydney Thunder will have to find a replacement for Sam Konstas at the top of the order.

Let’s hope common sense prevails and those not selected for Melbourne are released to BBL clubs. Surely Inglis is better playing BBL than running drinks at the MCG?

The Hurricanes were dismissed for a record low total in Geelong. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

THE GEELONG PITCH

Whenever the BBL heads to Geelong, there seems to be drama.

Last summer, it was the game called off after 6.5 overs when a wet pitch was deemed unsafe to play on. All eyes were always going to be on the deck when the Renegades welcomed Hobart to GMHBA Stadium and the Hurricanes’ batters had a torrid time, skittled for a record low of 74 in 12.4 overs.

Hobart captain Nathan Ellis was loath to blame the pitch for his side’s struggles though.

“I don’t think it was as bad as we me made it look. I think it was a 130-140 (run) wicket,” he said. “It was by no means a batter’s paradise. Once the wickets crumble, it’s hard to claw back.”

The Renegades are not scheduled to play in Geelong again this season. The Canes certainly enjoyed their home pitch on Sunday, romping to a commanding win over Perth Scorchers.

Kerry O’Keefe is very bullish about Jack Edwards’ future. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

JACK EDWARDS’ EMERGENCE CONTINUES

There was a lot of time for talking during the Brisbane Test as commentators filled time during rain delays. Among the stories of years passed, one stood out.

On Fox Cricket, Kerry O’Keefe threw New South Wales and Sydney Sixers all-rounder Jack Edwards into the mix as a Test contender.

“I’m looking for a bloke who could potentially get 4-5 wickets in a Test match. I think Jack Edwards has that potential... I think he’s a cricketer on the rise.”

Sixers coach Greg Shipperd flagged Edwards as a potential No.3 for the side after Dan Hughes went down with a season-ending elbow injury.

Edwards made 37 after being promoted into the top-order against the Renegades and has captained NSW this summer.

Matthew Wade with ice on his calf after being injured.

Wade was out cheaply earlier in the evening. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

WADE’S CALF CHAOS SUMS UP HURRICANES’ MESS

While the Hurricanes’ batting capitulation took the headlines, their lacklustre start to BBL14 was summed up by Matthew Wade continuing to keep against ther Renegades after injuring his calf.

Wade cut a frustated figure as teammate Caleb Jewell went down to the rooms to fetch keeping pads for Ben McDermott.

“I can’t get anyone on... I don’t know what’s happening. And now Ellis has stopped the game,” he said.

Adam Gilchrist described the chaos as a “shambles” on Fox Cricket and added “I would have been straight off as soon as he felt it.”

Wade kept until the end of the third over when he went off to be assessed, about eight minutes after the initial incident.

“Thankfully we’ve got 10 keepers on our squad,” he said.

Michael Vaughan compared the scenes to afternoon park cricket. Ben McDermott kept on Saturday against Perth Scorchers with Wade sidelined.

Xavier Bartlett has been one of the BBL’s best bowlers in the past two seasons.

WHERE’S X?

Brisbane Heat teammates were pleasently surprised when Xavier Bartlett’s name wasn’t part of the squad for the Boxing Day Test.

Selectors instead opted for Jhye Richardson after naming Brendan Doggett earlier in the series. Sean Abbott was also recalled for the Melbourne Test.

“I will admit I thought (Bartlett) would be the one that got the call up,” Heat spinner Mitch Swepson said.

“From a selfish point of view, great that he’s still with us. But he’s someomne that’s probably not far away. You’ll definitely see him in Australian colours in that format at some stage. He just gets better with every game he plays.”

Bartlett has played seven T20 internationals and two one-dayers for Australia.

@BBL now this is just embarrassing. Were Engie stadium staff doing burnouts on the oval before this??? #BigBashpic.twitter.com/JcyMLRAL2G

— Jacob PAFC (@jacobpafc) December 21, 2024

The Engie Stadium (Sydney Showgrounds) outfield sure is something. #BBL14pic.twitter.com/Z3XkVHMT6x

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) December 21, 2024

SURFACE PRESSURE

Collingwood forward Mason Cox once labelled the Sydney Showgrounds as a ground “for livestock”.

It’s hard not to wonder what Cox might have thought when pictures emerged of the showgrounds outfield before Saturday night’s Sydney smash.

Images emerged on Saturday evening which showed the outfield filled with sand and several areas where the surface appeared to have been patched together. One fan even asked if someone had been performing “burnouts” before play.

Originally published as BBL Agenda: Biggest talking points from the first week of Big Bash League season 14