BBL 100-1

[ddrap14]

Well, if this wasn't going to be 101 posts, I'd put it into the general thread. But it will be!

Ahead of this year's tournament, I'll be counting down the top 100 games in BBL history in my opinion. Player feats, drama, memorable moments and match impact will all have a role to play in the rankings. It's worth noting that I'm starting this a month earlier than I'd need to because I'll definitely miss many days - uni, work, and I'm also planning a trip in November.

#100 later today!

 

[ddrap14]

#100: The First Dance
BBL01, Game 1
Heat 8/139 (Christian 32, MacGill 2/21, Hazlewood 2/24) lose to Sixers 3/140 (Haddin 76*, Christian 1/20)

The buzz for the first game of the BBL was pretty high... for everyone but me, because it was pay TV exclusive and I didn't have that . And like the IPL, the first game was something of a blowout, but still entertained. Also, Brendon McCullum was the face of this opening game... but unlike in the IPL, where it was for his mastery, this time it was a much more... grisly sight. McCullum missed a hook shot in the third over from the fast-as-ever Brett Lee and was hit square in the nose, bloodying it and turning him into something of a viking image.

That really summed up the Heat's innings as none of McCullum, Matthew Hayden and James Hopes ever really got going. Allrounder Dan Christian, then just 25, hit a quick 32, and Andrew Robinson's 22 came from 12 balls, but the rest of the lineup fell well short and finished at 139, with veteran Stuart MacGill and young pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc all taking two inexpensive wickets each.

The Sixers response was anchored by Brad Haddin, whose 76 took up nearly half of their balls but was a measured innings as he never really looked like getting out and brought them almost all the way. He was supported by an unusually slow Nic Maddinson and cameos from overseas player Michael Lumb as well as "allrounder" Steve Smith. Christian was again a shining light of the Heat, conceding just 20 from his four overs and dismissing Haddin (albeit with just six needed), and Chris Lynn bowled three overs for just 14, but the Heat's young pacemen were way too expensive. And as such the first game followed a trend that many of the next seasons would follow - the Sixers being professional and winning, and the Heat finding interesting ways to flop.

 

[DuneTiger]

I feel like 50% of this list will be between BBL04 and 08, that was prime BBL in my eyes.

 

[ddrap14]

I feel like 50% of this list will be between BBL04 and 08, that was prime BBL in my eyes.

Much of the top end is, but there's way more games in the teens era than I expected