Early days, but Strikers look like team for BBL glory

Last year Adelaide Strikers were rated the most entertaining team in Big Bash League Cricket, but could only limp to 6th place in the final Ladder. The season may have only started, but Strikers are looking something like the full package. Yes, many will undoubtedly still fancy Perth and Melbourne, but Strikers have been nothing short of fantastic in the first three rounds of the season. A NNR of 1.917 says a lot about this talented young side.

The irony is that Strikers were predicted to struggle this season after the loss of, among others, Brad Hodge and, last year’s highest scoring batsman, Tim Dunk. You can read The Sydney Morning Herald’s previews about this issue. On the plus side, Peter Siddle joined from the Renegades, adding some experience to a young side captained by 24-year-old Travis Head.

Youthful exuberance has propelled the Strikers forward

Calling the Strikers a young side is perhaps a bit of an understatement. Seven of the nine bowlers in their squad are aged under 25, with four of those being 20-years-old or younger. The two overseas additions to the squad were South African batsman Colin Ingram and the exciting young Afghan spin-bowler Rashid Khan. The star of the show has been, somewhat unexpectedly Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper has been brilliant with the bat in every match this season.

Perth aiming for fourth BBL final win

For the Scorchers, the main threat clearly comes from their bowlers. Andrew Tye and Mitchell Johnson offer plenty of experience and guile, whereas Ashton Agar offers something different with his spin. All-rounder Hilton Cartwright has been offering plenty with his bat in the early rounds and is actually a decent tip to be Tournament Top Batsman. Put simply, the Scorchers look every inch the champions that they were last season. They face Strikers on 13th January in Alice Springs. That matchup will say a lot about Strikers’potential to be champions.

Still, much can change over the next few weeks. The fixtures will come thick and fast over January. Aussies always like to see an underdog do well though, and the Strikers season has gone unexpectedly well so far. Can they keep it going over the next four weeks and make it to their first-ever BBL Final?