With the sixth edition of Australia’s Big Bash League kicking off today, there are a number of players who will be looking to make
an impression.
Below are five uncapped Australians who will be seeking to
leave their mark on this year’s competition, whether that be to attract the eye
of the national selectors or to land a big-money move to the IPL.
How this man has not yet represented his country is a mystery
to many.
However, that elusive call-up has not prevented Klinger from
starring with the bat across all three formats, both in his homeland and in
England.
 |
| Klinger has been a consistent performer for the Scorchers since moving from the Strikers, and is the all-time top scorer in the BBL (PHOTO: Darrian Traynor) |
The opening batsman is the all-time leading run scorer in the BBL with 1274, with Australian international Aaron Finch the only other
player to have passed 1200 runs in the tournament’s history.
The run-machine was the leading run-scorer in the 2014-15
season as his side collected their second successive title.
The 36-year-old has also proven himself overseas, having
turned out for Gloucestershire for the past four seasons.
Incredibly, Klinger’s record in England is considerably
better than his respective BBL numbers.
The Scorchers talisman has compiled little under 600 more
runs in just six extra innings throughout his time in Bristol.
Klinger has seemingly improved with age, with a scarcely-believable2015 t20 Blast campaign, where he scored three hundreds in just 12 innings.
He also passed 50 on four further occasions on his way to a
huge 654 runs at an average of over 80 while striking at an impressive 142.
While Klinger lost out to England’s James Vince in the
scoring charts, he managed to go one better during the summer of 2016 as he was
comfortably crowned top scorer with 548.
With those sorts of numbers produced on such a consistent
basis, Klinger’s name will be certainly one to watch out for at the top of the
Scorchers order.
Ross burst onto the BBL scene in 2015-16, scoring 168 runs
in seven innings for the Adelaide Strikers.
The 24-year-old made his tournament debut in 2014 and, while
his output wasn’t huge, he still managed to showcase glimpses of what was to
come in the following season.
A powerfully-built middle order batsman, Ross started BBL 5
in imposing fashion before a disappointing run of games.
Ross’ most impressive innings came in the Strikers’ opening
game against Melbourne Stars in a man-of-the-match display.
The right-hander crashed 65 off just 31 balls as he made
sure the two points were heading to South Australia in improbable fashion.
Ross played a pivotal part in the Strikers’ next game as he
38 from 29 as he steered the Adelaide side to a second successive victory.
 |
| Ross' impressive BBL 5 earned him a move to the Jamaica Tallwahs in the CPL (PHOTO: Randy Brooks) |
He then embarked on a barren spell which saw him fail to
pass double figures for the remainder of the group stage.
It was not to last, however, as he once again displayed his
talent in the short format of the game, crafting a 38-ball 47 in the semi-final
against Sydney Thunder.
The knock was in vain, though, as eventual champions Thunder
chased down Strikers’ target of 160 with 14 balls to spare.
Ross’ performances in BBL 5 saw him picked up by CPL
(Caribbean Premier League) side Jamaica Tallawahs for the 2016 edition of the
tournament.
Although it was a disappointing campaign for Ross, playing
just three games, another big season in the BBL may well open further options.
An international call-up and an IPL contract are just two
realistic incentives for the youngster, who moved across to Queensland to join
the Heat during the BBL off-season.
Jordan Silk (Sydney
Sixers)
The 24-year-old topped the Sixers' batting averages in BBL 4
and contributed to victories on the Sixers’ route the Final.
One of his finest performances that year was an astonishing unbeaten 69 against city rivals Sydney Thunder, which included five maximums.
 |
| Silk, along with Steve O'Keefe, pulled off an incredible victory over rivals Sydney Thunder in BBL 4 (PHOTO: Brendon Thorne) |
Silk reached his half-century after taking 24 from five
balls in the 18th over, before hitting a six and a four in the final
over to help seal an improbable victory.
His big hitting was also in evidence against the Strikers as
he plundered 67 from just 34 balls, albeit in a losing cause.
The batsman is also renowned as being one of the finest
fielders in Australia.
The match against the Thunder also saw Silk take one of the
most extraordinary catches of the season to dismiss Chris Green.
BBL 4 has been Silk’s most successful to date, with 272 runs
coming at an average of over 50 while striking at just under 137.
The tournaments either side of the 2014-15 season have not
been as fruitful for Silk, averaging just 15 in both.
Having had a mixed start to the 2016-17 campaign so far,
Silk will be looking to produce on the big stage in the BBL once again over the
course of BBL 6.
Arjun Nair (Sydney
Thunder)
An exciting 18-year-old all-rounder, Nair only made his
first-class debut back in February of this year and his List A bow in August.
Having not yet made his t20 debut, Nair is tipped to play a
part in the Thunder’s title defence this season.
 |
| 18-year-old Nair is an intriguing prospect and will certainly be one to watch in BBL 6 (PHOTO: Scott Barbour - CA) |
The teenager signed professional terms with the Thunder earlier
this year after fulfilling a role as a Development Rookie as his side lifted
the BBL trophy earlier this year.
He has since gone on to make a big impression within
Australia, particularly during the recent Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.
The 18-year-old was the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the competition, claiming 11 victims in just six games.
The youngster’s batting credentials were also on show,
scoring 67 as he opened the batting against Victoria.
It will certainly be interesting to see if Nair can leave
his mark on such a high-quality tournament with his relative inexperience.
It is, however, certainly evident that the teenager
possesses the qualities needed to make an impression for the champions this
coming campaign.
Jason Behrendorff
(Perth Scorchers)
A tall, rangy left-arm quick who has spent his career in
Western Australia, Behrendorff is said to be on the verge of a national
call-up.
Australian legend Allan Border has called for the
26-year-old to be included in the next Test squad, but an injury sustained atthe end of November has somewhat harmed his chances.
 |
| Behrendorff has been a key part of a strong Scorchers bowling attack since his BBL bow in 2012 (PHOTO: Matt Blyth) |
Behrendorff picked up the injury, a stress fracture in his
leg, in a Sheffield Shield game against Queensland.
A back problem saw the pacer miss the first two games of BBL
5 and it looks as though injury will again see Behrendorff miss at least the
start of this campaign.
Despite initial fears that the 26-year-old would miss around
two months of action, it has been recently revealed that he may only miss four
weeks.
Behrendorff has since started a rehab programme in the hope
of being fit for the second half of the competition.
Having already seen the evergreen Brad Hogg depart for the
Melbourne Renegades and Australian internationals Andrew Tye and Nathan
Coulter-Nile struggling with injury, Behrendorff’s setback is not ideal
preparation for the Perth-based side.
The 26-year-old has been a stellar performer for the
Scorchers since his debut in 2012.
He currently sits third on the all-time BBL wicket-takingcharts, having taken 45 wickets in just 32 games.
His average of 19 is impressive enough, but he is also one
of only three bowlers who have taken 30+ wickets to have an economy rate of
under seven.
If Behrendorff is able to play a part in this season’s BBL,
he will definitely be one to watch given his national aspirations.
Statistics correct as of 19/12/16
Comments
Post a Comment