Big Bash League: Matt Floyd on eye-catching semi-finals
Floydy predicts three of the four BBL semi-finalists...
Tuesday 19 January 2016 12:06, UK
Sky Studios BBL presenter Matt Floyd gears up for the Big Bash semi-finals, reflects on Chris Gayle's record-equalling hit for the Renegades, and has time for some corridor cricket...
After 32 group games we are down to the final four teams for the all-important semi-finals, and I'm on the way up to the second floor here at Sky Studios to write this blog in relative warmth (it's a bit chilly in our corridor-come-studio).
I've been thinking about how ridiculous our expectations of scoring rates have become these days. The Melbourne Renegades needed 171 off 16 overs against the Adelaide Strikers to make the semis and yet the overriding feeling I have is they have wasted a great opportunity to progress.
That's because Chris Gayle started off the chase by equalling Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest-ever T20 half century in only 12 balls!
His side were 60-1 after three and a half overs! Just the nine-an-over from then on and it was job done. The problem is nine an over is no formality and the rest of the Renegades batsmen proceeded to bat more like Chris Martin - take your pick of either the New Zealand tailender or Coldplay frontman - than Gayle and they ended up getting nowhere near. It's clearly a batsman's game when that is regarded as a relative 'choke' by the chasing team.
Anyway, it means that the Strikers will host the Sydney Thunder in first semi-final, an exciting prospect in more ways than one. Firstly, it has been an incredible revival for the Thunder having finished rock-bottom three years in a row, and second-from-bottom last year.
Somehow they have turned it around to finish fourth and sneak into the semis. They are also the only side to beat the Strikers in the group stage - they thrashed them - and the impending retirement of Mike Hussey could add extra emotion to their efforts.
For a neutral, it would be fantastic to see such a great professional and player such as 'Mr Cricket' go out on top, it would be the finish that his career deserves.
The Strikers will be favourites, but it's worth bearing in mind they were the best side in the group stage last year and got hammered by Sydney's other side, the Sixers, at the Adelaide Oval in the semi-final. Will those psychological scars still be there I wonder?
Speaking of mental blocks, that's exactly what the Melbourne Stars seem to have when they get to the knockout stage. Despite all the vastly experienced internationals they've had in their ranks over the years, they've got to four consecutive semi-finals and somehow lost the lot!
They meet the Perth Scorchers in the second semi, a side who are effectively the anti-Stars - four semi-final appearances, four wins. The team you would put your house on if you had to.
It all points to another Scorchers final, but the last meeting between the sides could be significant. The Stars skittled out the champions for just 94 to jump above them in the table and secure home advantage for the semi - they have shown they can beat them in a big game and you certainly fancy their chances more at the MCG than at fortress WACA.
Off the pitch we've been using the extra space in the studio for a spot of corridor cricket. Rob Key, Ravi Bopara and I were messing around earlier in the competition and Keysy fancied recording a bit and sending to Channel 10 as a response to the regular banter he has been receiving on commentary from his big mate Freddie Flintoff. If you haven't seen it Fred, here it is!
So the Strikers host the Thunder and the Stars meet the Scorchers, the four fighting it out for a place in the final. For once I managed to get three of the four semi-finalists right in my pre-season blog (the Sixers let me down).
I would predict the Finalists but you know what they say, 'quit while you're ahead'. See you on Thursday morning…
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