BBL 100-1

[ddrap14]

Well, if this wasn't going to be 101 posts, I'd put it into the general thread. But it will be!

Ahead of this year's tournament, I'll be counting down the top 100 games in BBL history in my opinion. Player feats, drama, memorable moments and match impact will all have a role to play in the rankings. It's worth noting that I'm starting this a month earlier than I'd need to because I'll definitely miss many days - uni, work, and I'm also planning a trip in November.

#100 later today!

 

[ddrap14]

#100: The First Dance
BBL01, Game 1
Heat 8/139 (Christian 32, MacGill 2/21, Hazlewood 2/24) lose to Sixers 3/140 (Haddin 76*, Christian 1/20)

The buzz for the first game of the BBL was pretty high... for everyone but me, because it was pay TV exclusive and I didn't have that . And like the IPL, the first game was something of a blowout, but still entertained. Also, Brendon McCullum was the face of this opening game... but unlike in the IPL, where it was for his mastery, this time it was a much more... grisly sight. McCullum missed a hook shot in the third over from the fast-as-ever Brett Lee and was hit square in the nose, bloodying it and turning him into something of a viking image.

That really summed up the Heat's innings as none of McCullum, Matthew Hayden and James Hopes ever really got going. Allrounder Dan Christian, then just 25, hit a quick 32, and Andrew Robinson's 22 came from 12 balls, but the rest of the lineup fell well short and finished at 139, with veteran Stuart MacGill and young pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc all taking two inexpensive wickets each.

The Sixers response was anchored by Brad Haddin, whose 76 took up nearly half of their balls but was a measured innings as he never really looked like getting out and brought them almost all the way. He was supported by an unusually slow Nic Maddinson and cameos from overseas player Michael Lumb as well as "allrounder" Steve Smith. Christian was again a shining light of the Heat, conceding just 20 from his four overs and dismissing Haddin (albeit with just six needed), and Chris Lynn bowled three overs for just 14, but the Heat's young pacemen were way too expensive. And as such the first game followed a trend that many of the next seasons would follow - the Sixers being professional and winning, and the Heat finding interesting ways to flop.

 

[DuneTiger]

I feel like 50% of this list will be between BBL04 and 08, that was prime BBL in my eyes.

 

[ddrap14]

I feel like 50% of this list will be between BBL04 and 08, that was prime BBL in my eyes.

Much of the top end is, but there's way more games in the teens era than I expected

 

[ddrap14]

#99: A Controversial Derby
BBL12, Game 27
Renegades 7/141 (Harvey 32*, Boult 2/23) beat Stars 9/108 (Larkin 48*, Rogers 5/16)

I didn't put the Warne-Samuels clash into the top 100, simply that game was far too non-noteworthy on the field. But this one was just as spicy and still had some notable on-field intrigue.

Let's set the stage - Renegades are 7/139 in the 20th over after a trio of 32s (Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh and Mackenzie Harvey) and very few other notable contributions. Due to Marcus Stoinis suffering injury earlier in the competition and unusual bowling management, Adam Zampa was bowling the 20th, and Harvey was on strike. Non-striker Tom Rogers backed up quite a way, which Zampa noticed, and attempted to Mankad him. It was only ruled not out because Zampa had already started his bowling action, and it really blew up as boos rang out around the MCG two balls later at the end of the innings.



Perhaps he shouldn't have angered Rogers, though. Joe Clarke was bowled the first ball of the innings, and then both Beau Webster and Tom Rogers The Batter were dismissed by Rogers The Bowler in his third over - the former chipping an easy catch back to the bowler, and the latter also bowled. Rogers later picked up Hilton Cartwright and Luke Wood to make it 5/16, one of the most outstanding spells in BBL history. Mujeeb also took an incredible 2/7, and it was only a measured innings by Nick Larkin, who made 48 not out, that got the Stars through all 20 overs. Only Will Sutherland conceded more than a run a ball.

And in a fun twist, about a year later, Zampa joined the Renegades...