Summary
A couple of statements were made this afternoon. Brisbane Roar showed they were a force to be reckoned with in the W-League, trouncing Western Sydney 4-0 and turning the formbook on its head. The Roar are now in the top four and look capable of doing something with their ball movement and potency up front. The Wanderers have now tasted defeat this season but one suspects they will live to fight another day. In the Big Bash League, Adelaide Strikers were easy winners over Melbourne Renegades, last season’s champions who have started their title defence with nine straight defeats. They have, officially, forgotten how to win. The Strikers were very, very good and, on this evidence, will be in the reckoning at the business end of the season. Well, that’s it for Sportwatch this Sunday. I’ve had a ball. Thanks for your company.
BBL: Strikers beat Renegades by 63 runs
And that, thankfully for the Renegades, is game over. They were never in this run-chase, tallying just 110 all out in response to Adelaide’s 173-6. Only Webster did anything with the bat for the visitors, whereas the Strikers had winners everywhere: Wells and Short with the bat, Rashid, Head and Siddle with the ball. And they fielded wonderfully well. Another loss for the Renegades, their ninth on the bounce. Ouch.
Back on the winners' list in front of our home fans! ✊
— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) January 12, 2020
📊: https://t.co/kuUWLj2BCx #BlueEnergy #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/I4NQwQS7td
BBL: 17th over: Melbourne Renegades 104-8 (Wildermuth 1) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
Siddle returns to the attack to immediate effect, Patel finding Weatherald at short midwicket to depart for eight. And the evergreen paceman strikes again with the last ball of the over, enticing Christian into a false shot which winds up down the throat of Neser. Mercy rule, please.
BBL: 16th over: Melbourne Renegades 103-6 (Christian 2, Patel 8) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
These two keep their partnership intact but don’t make the inroads the Renegades need, scoring just seven runs off Conway’s over. They now need 71 from 24 balls. That’s a big ask. Just saying.
BBL: 15th over: Melbourne Renegades 96-6 (Christian 1, Patel 2) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
And that’s another wicket! Yes, I did copy-and-paste that from the previous post. Yes, I did copy-and-paste that from the previous post (geddit? I copied both sentences. Think about it). Anyway, Webster goes for 49, missing a straight one from Rashid and rightfully adjudged leg before. Rashid returns 2-19 from his four overs. What a star. The Renegades. What a rabble.
BBL: 14th over: Melbourne Renegades 93-5 (Webster 49, Christian 0) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
And that’s another wicket! Yes, I did copy-and-paste that from the previous post. Cooper’s on his way now, holing out to Wells in the deep for not very many, and the Renegades are in all sorts of strife. That over from Conway not only brought a wicket, it also conceded just three runs.
BBL: 13th over: Melbourne Renegades 90-4 (Webster 47, Cooper 0) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
And that’s another wicket! Rashid takes his 50th wicket for the Strikers but notch this down to Siddle, who made great ground from third man to take a diving, tumbling catch and send Nabi on his way. Webster is batting beautifully but he needs help. Now.
Sids the SPECTACULAR! 😀 What a catch!
— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) January 12, 2020
Nabi goes for 6 and the 'Gades are 4/86 #BlueEnergy #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/lKLobwSYu7
BBL: 12th over: Melbourne Renegades 84-3 (Webster 42, Nabi 5) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
Not a bad over for the Renegades, Head’s over going for nine runs (including five wides ... well, one wide that found the rope), but the required rate is still very high at around two-a-ball. A good spell from Head, returning 2-26 from his four overs.
BBL: 10th over: Melbourne Renegades 65-3 (Webster 31, Nabi 2) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
Another wicket falls, this time the important scalp of Marsh who plays around a straight, full one from Head and is castled for 21. That’s two wickets, both bowled, for the Strikers skipper. And, it must be said now, good captaincy to bowl himself inside the first half of the innings.
W-League: FT: Western Sydney 0-4 Brisbane Roar
If Brisbane were good in the first half, they were irrepressible in the second. The Roar scored four unanswered goals in that second stanza and each was earned and fully deserved. The only surprise is that they didn’t score more. Toby scored a brace, while Raso scored one but could easily have had a hat-trick. This could be the victory that kickstarts their season. For the Wanderers, this loss - their first of the season - might come to be viewed as the one they had to have. But though there is time, dropping all three points does their premiership aspirations no good at all. All credit to the Roar. They look right at home in the top four.
🏁 FULL TIME
— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) January 12, 2020
A HUGE result for @brisbaneroar, sending 4️⃣ past @wswanderersfc, who pick up their first loss of the season.#WSWvBRI #WLeague pic.twitter.com/Zv2YEO4zyx
Updated
BBL: 7th over: Melbourne Renegades 55-2 (Marsh 18, Webster 26) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
A good over from the very good Rashid Khan, conceding just four runs. How Webster, premeditating a sweep shot to a googly and missing everything, didn’t get bowled is God’s own private mystery.
BBL: 6th over: Melbourne Renegades 51-2 (Marsh 16, Webster 24) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
The Renegades are now getting going. At the tailend of a Siddle over and the start of Neser’s, five balls went for 22 runs in a 4-4-4-6-4 sequence. Neser’s over ended up going for 2o runs and, as can be the case in T20 cricket, a few deliveries is all anyone needs to go from good to bad, bad to good and any transformation in between.
W-League: GOAL! and another GOAL! Western Sydney 0-4 Brisbane Roar (Davidson, 68’, Toby, 71’) The wheels are now well and truly off this Wanderers wagon. Brisbane are now potentially looking at their biggest W-League win, with Davidson finding the net and Toby following three minutes later suit to make it a brace. Who saw this coming? Not I.
Scary thing is, the Roar don’t look like they’re done yet.
⚽️ GOAL, @wswanderersfc 0-4 @brisbaneroar (70 mins)
— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) January 12, 2020
FOUR. Roar just can't be stopped! 😲
A defensive lapse and Toby bends it around the keeper for her second of the afternoon 🚀#WSWvBRI #WLeague pic.twitter.com/SuoFOdVUq4
BBL: 3rd over: Melbourne Renegades 17-2 (Marsh 2, Webster 4) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
Early issues for the Renegades with Harper following Harris back to the pavilion courtesy of a delightful Peter Siddle yorker that uprooted middle stump.
Peter Siddle with a 139km/h yorker to dismiss Sam Harper.
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) January 12, 2020
They're going to have to start winding back the clocks on top of all the churches in Adelaide, what an effort from Sids. #BBL09 #cricket pic.twitter.com/Nz96cBwJ8q
W-League: GOAL! Western Sydney 0-2 Brisbane Roar (Raso, 61’) Another goal for Brisbane and another goal against Western Sydney for Raso, who’s been the best player on the pitch today and is full value for this strike, a right-footed pearler from distance which finds its home in the left corner. Troubling times for the highly favoured Wanderers.
BBL: 1st over: Melbourne Renegades 6-1 (Marsh 1, Harper 1) v Adelaide Strikers 173-6
The run-chase is under way but not the way the Renegades would’ve liked. Harris smears Head through the covers for four before trying to repeat the dose, only to swing, miss and see his off-stump disturbed. Good bowling from Head, who could’ve bowled flatter and fuller, but instead invited the big shot and was rewarded.
BOWLED HIM!
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2020
It's Travis Head (!) who gets the breakthrough on the fifth ball of the innings #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/8sd5OTIub0
W-League: GOAL! Western Sydney 0-1 Brisbane Roar (Toby, 50’) The Wanderers begin the second half much the brighter but it’s the Roar who draw first blood as Raso’s shot cannons off the post and into the path of Toby, who drills the shot home through traffic for a richly deserved goal.
50’ | GOOAAALLL!! Allira Toby opens her account for the season!
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) January 12, 2020
(1-0) #WSWvBRI #RoarAsOne #WLeague pic.twitter.com/UFfk8Iu71q
BBL: 20 overs: Adelaide Strikers 173-6 v Melbourne Renegades
So after a blistering start, a crawl in the middle and a brisk end to their innings, the Strikers post the exact par winning score at Adelaide Oval. Seventy-seven runs were scored off the last six overs, with Wells (58 off 38) and Short (41 off 28) putting on 80 runs for the fifth wicket and steering their side though the mid-dig slump. The Renegades had no multiple wicket takers, but Patel (1-26) and Boyce (1-22) were key in ensuring the Strikers didn’t post a larger score.
Fiddy up for Jonathan Wells!
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2020
This guy is just SO reliable #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/xoKbVBANoM
Cricket: Legends to star in bushfire relief game
Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne are planning to recruit big names of sport, movies and music to join their star-studded teams in Cricket Australia’s bushfire relief match. The two Australia legends will captain the teams in the Bushfire Cricket Bash to be played as a curtain-raiser to the Big Bash League final on 8 February.
The matches will form part of a triple header of cricket on the same day, with Australia to host India in a women’s T20 international in Melbourne, and funds from all three matches will go to bushfire relief.
Australia coach Justin Langer and fellow former national team stars Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke are already confirmed starters for the Bushfire Cricket Bash.
“Hopefully a few (more) big names will get involved as well,” Warne said on Sunday. “From all sorts, whether it be music, film, TV or sports from different codes.”
International cricket legends Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni are on the wishlist. The venue will only be decided when the host of the BBL is confirmed, but the MCG looms as a likely option.
Last year’s runners-up, Melbourne Stars, are top of the BBL ladder, ahead of Sydney Sixers after eight games. “I’m actually quite excited if it is here because one more game at the MCG would be nice,” Ponting said.
- with thanks to AAP
W-League: HT: Western Sydney 0-0 Brisbane Roar
This first half has been more-or-less owned by the Roar but despite their edge in possession, territory and chances on goal, scores remain level. That is something for the Wanderers to take into half-time. They’ll know they can’t play much worse than that. But they’re not even behind.
HALF-TIME: 0-0
— Beyond 90 (@Beyond90AU) January 12, 2020
Kellond-Knight: We're pretty hungry, we want this win today.
Brisbane have been aggressive but WSW have proved they're up to the challenge' not only to defend but to get some attacking in there as well. A really good game to watch so far.#WSWvBRI
Updated
BBL: 17th over: Adelaide Strikers 127-4 (Wells 34, Short 21) This is better from the Strikers. Short breaks the boundary drought with a six off Boyce before Wells gets in on the act with a couple of fours of his own. Three overs to go, the Strikers can now set themselves for something near the 170 mark.
W-League: 39 mins: Western Sydney 0-0 Brisbane Roar More clear chances for Brisbane but still no breakthrough. Both Kellond-Knight and Gorry are denied before Polkinghorne, on the receiving end of a delightful cross, has her header saved by the keeper. They’re really taking it up to Western Sydney and belying their position on the ladder. But just now, Raso receives the game’s first yellow card for a rash challenge.
BBL: 13th over: Adelaide Strikers 92-4 (Wells 16, Short 5) Some tight, excellent mid-innings bowling from the Renegades here. The Strikers just can’t get a partnership going. Nielsen is the latest batsman to go, caught in the deep off the bowling of Patel for four. It’s over five overs since Adelaide have scored a boundary. They need to get a wriggle on.
W-League: 24 mins: Western Sydney 0-0 Brisbane Roar The Wanderers let the best chance of the game go begging as Vine, fed with the ball to her feet by Hamilton, can’t get enough on the strike to beat the keeper. At the other end, Raso is presented with an almost equally gilt-edged chance but her shot is expertly stopped by Smith, who uses her legs to great effect. On another day, both shots go in.
W-League: 20 mins: Western Sydney 0-0 Brisbane Roar No goals yet at a soggy Marconi Stadium and Brisbane are doing a good job at keeping the high-flying Wanderers on a short leash. There have been chances for both teams, but to date both keepers have been equal to the task.
15' | Plenty of early pressure from our Roar Women but no breakthrough just yet.
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) January 12, 2020
(0-0) #WSWvBRI #RoarAsOne
BBL: 9th over: Adelaide Strikers 76-3 (Wells 8, Nielsen 1) They’re scrapping away, the Renegades. Head is now on his way, caught by Mennie off the bowling of Boyce for 22, and though the run-rate is still good, new batsmen are again at the crease. With a par score of around 173 at Adelaide Oval, it’s hard to know how well the Strikers are travelling right now.
ATP Cup: It’s had its knockers, this fledgling tournament, but nobody can argue with the quality of the tennis it’s produced. Yesterday, Djokovic and Nadal underlined their status as all-time greats with imperious displays to propel their nations into tonight’s final. And both overcame adversity to prevail. There aren’t many better scribes on this sport than Kevin Mitchell, who’s been kind enough to treat us to this report.
BBL: 6th over: Adelaide Strikers 59-2 (Head 14, Wells 0) Both openers are back in the pavilion but the runs are still flowing freely for the Strikers. Catches to Cooper have accounted for both batsmen, but it’s the one to get rid of Salt that will top the highlights reel. Hard on the rope at deep midwicket, Cooper takes it cleanly inside the field of play, tosses it up in the air as momentum takes him over before returning to the field of play to finish the job. Unbelievably good fielding. Unthinkable a decade or so ago, but almost commonplace these days.
Remember the time when we thought these catches were the most incredible things ever?
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2020
Those were the days #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/UYtNn2PI84
W-League: not long now until the Wanderers-Roar game gets under way at Marconi Stadium. A win here for Western Sydney will keep their premiership hopes flickering.
Here's how we'll be lining up in this afternoon's important clash against Brisbane #WSW #WSWvBRI pic.twitter.com/LPy8Z3DHQO
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) January 12, 2020
TEAM NEWS | A first start back in orange for @elise_kk8 as we take on @wswanderersfc at Marconi Stadium #WSWvBRI #WLeague pic.twitter.com/3cjnJanro7
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) January 12, 2020
BBL: 3rd over: Adelaide Strikers 35-0 (Salt 13, Weatherald 22) The Renegades swap spin for pace, but as the saying goes, it just comes off the bat quicker. The Strikers take 18 runs off Mennie’s over, with Weatherald accounting for all but one of them. The pick was a sumptuous six straight down the ground. Pretty to watch.
BBL: 2nd over: Adelaide Strikers 18-0 (Salt 13, Weatherald 5) More spin to commence proceedings for the Renegades. And more runs for the Strikers, notably a six and a four to Salt off the pie-like offerings of Nabi. Believe it or not, the Renegades are still in with a chance of making the finals, and then defending their crown. That’s if they win here, then win again and keep on winning.
BBL: 1st over: Adelaide Strikers 6-0 (Salt 1, Weatherald 5) The loosener of all looseners from Patel results in a boundary off the the first ball. And all things considered, keeping his first over to six runs was a good result from the Renegades spinner.
Given how great a BBL venue Adelaide Oval is, I am surprised at the number of 3.40pm starts it is getting. But given how the AFL basically ignores Adelaide as a prime Friday night venue in favour of eastern states, I'm not surprised at all #BBL09
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) January 12, 2020
Big Bash: Adelaide have won the toss (or whatever they call it these days) and will bat first. Ripper of a day in Radelaide. Sunny, high-20s, all-time stadium. What more could you want?
.@StrikersBBL XI: Jake Weatherald, Phil Salt, Travis Head (c), Jon Wells, Matt Short, Harry Nielson (wk), Michael Neser, Rashid Khan, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Harry Conway.#BBL09#BBL09 pic.twitter.com/GYjubf6oas
— #BBL09 #BBL2019 #BBL09 #BBL2019 #BBL09 #BBL2019 (@The_BBL09) January 12, 2020
.@RenegadesBBL XI: Shaun Marsh, Marcus Harris, Sam Harper (wk), Beau Webster, Mohammad Nabi, Tom Cooper, Dan Christian (c), Samit Patel, Jack Wildermuth, Cameron Boyce, Joe Mennie#BBL09 #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/R2s7aU0F4c
— #BBL09 #BBL2019 #BBL09 #BBL2019 #BBL09 #BBL2019 (@The_BBL09) January 12, 2020
Preamble
Happy Sunday, sports fans. I wish I were the bearer of gladder tidings - something along the lines of, ‘How good were Australia in the ATP Cup semi-final? Join us later on for the liveblog of the final!’ - alas, Australia weren’t very good at all last night. So we’ll just have to admire the tennis excellence of Spain and Serbia from afar and concentrate on this afternoon’s domestic action. But clouds, silver linings and other such utterances, because there’s enough on to keep us not only occupied, but hopefully enraptured also. I’ll be your host with the most bad puns dad jokes captivating commentary for the Big Bash game between Adelaide Strikers and the winless champions of yesteryear (well, last year), Melbourne Renegades and the W-League encounter between Western Sydney and Brisbane Roar. And that ain’t bad. You know how it rolls: strap yourself in and get in touch by Email or, if you prefer, by tweeting @scott_heinrich.
