The Big Bash is now into the home run to the finals series.
In what is one of the closest Big Bash series one can remember, all teams perhaps other than the Melbourne Renegades look like they can win, and certainly make the Final 5.
The Sydney teams have been at the top for most of the series.
But the Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat are all starting to emerge.
The Hurricanes also have to too much talent to write off, and the Strikers will need to show their depth now Rashid Khan is gone to go deep.
The MCG is taking spin, and the Stars with Adam Zampa & Zahir Khan have 2 International spinners capable of squeezing all teams, particularly at the MCG which is beginning to turn nicely.
Added to that is Maxwell & even Maddison meaning if the Stars are to win… it will be on the back of their spin attack.
With the bat Maxwell is they, although Larkin & Maddison are all class and Stonis & Fletcher have the muscle.
The Thunder also appear to have a few more gears in them. Sam Billings is the key. The Englishman is at the top of his game and after a slow start to the series, expect Billings class to rise now.
The top order is laden with talent and perhaps underestimated. They’ve snuck along without much fanfare but expect the Thunder to be there when the whips are cracking.
Daniel Sams is a much improved player rewarded earlier in the season with National Honours Vs India, and his absence temporarily slowed the Thunder, but if he stays fit, they look a well balanced and stronger outfit, and capable of winning the BBL10.
The Scorchers perhaps are best team on paper. The loss of Marsh though is a huge loss. A fit and match hard Mitch Marsh is a necessity for the Scorchers, so perhaps that window is closing with Marsh currently out.
With the series so evenly poised, the series may well come down to pure individual performances. Here are the players that can win BBL for your team:
Adelaide: Jake Weatherall needs to go back to the top and start scoring big
Brisbane: Chris Lynn. Can he capture his very best for the remainder of the series, if yes, the Heat will go deep.
Hobart: Short / McDermott/ Meredith. Meredith looks sharp and closing on 150K’s. Can turn games quicky if conditions suit.
Melbourne Renegades: Finch & Marsh must carry the load from here and win every game.
Melbourne Stars: Maxwell is the key with bat. And Zampa is perhaps the No.1 bowler in the competition right now.
Sydney Sixers: Josh Phillipe needs to score heavily to keep the Sixers at the top. Can Dan Christian keep it going?
Sydney Thunder: Sam Billings & Daniel Sams both in great form.
Perth Scorchers: Jye Richardson… The Scorchers will bat well. Richardson has returned well. He’s quick and accurate and can bowl the Scorchers to victory.
Who wins & why?
On current form we think it’s a Sydney Thunder V Melbourne Stars Final.
With the Thunder to win a close one led by Sam Billings.
Whomever wins, it promises to be the closest finish in BBL History, so were all set for a truly spectacular and entertaining finish to BBL10.
Darren Herft & Writers