When it comes to cricket, the shortest format of the game garners maximum attention from the media and the general public because it provides the same level of thrill and excitement without demanding a lot of commitment from the viewers. Over the years, the cricketing fraternity and fan base has witnessed the introduction f multiple T20 tournaments and leagues, but none of them can compare to the thrill, charm, and drama provided by the Big Bash League. The T20 cricket league has everything that it needs to keep the viewers engaged and entertained, as it allows a mix of young and experienced players to showcase their talent. That said; let’s take a look at the top five most iconic BBL games in history. Our live cricket video channel presents live cricket scores, match scorecards, video interviews of international cricketers, and the latest news on international fixtures.
- Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers (BBL Season 05)
If there was one moment in BBL history which made Travis Head a household name in the country and gathered unending popularity worldwide, it would be the match between Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers in the fifth edition of the league. Adelaide Strikers, after winning the toss, chose to field first, which left the Sydney squad with no other choice than to bat first. Ed Cowan gave a decent start to the Sydney Sixers by scoring 43 off 32 at a strike rate of 134.27 but was dismissed by John Holland in the 10th over. An incredible partnership of 92 runs from the veteran players Brad Haddin and Johan Botha in the last few overs helped the Sydney Sixers squad to build a respectable run target of 177 from their 20 overs of batting. Things did not seem too easy for the Adelaide Strikers, as they needed over 50 runs in the last three overs of the match. Just when everyone had predicted the fate of the match, Travis Head struck three sixes and two fours in the 18th over and continued hitting balls to the boundary until Adelaide Strikers won the match.
- Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers (BBL Season 04, Finals)
The final match of any cricket league is interesting, but the final stage of BBL’s fifth edition between the Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers was even more special, as it was the last match of Australia’s most dependable pacer, Brett Lee. The Sydney squad, after winning the coin toss, chose to bat first and built a respectable run chase of 147 from their 20 overs. Moises Henriques was the only player from the Sixers squad who scored over 50 runs. The Perth Scorchers started their innings on a good note, with Shaun Marsh scoring 73 off 59 at a strike rate of 123.72 and Michael Klinger scoring 33 off 37 at a strike rate of 89.18, but things took a different turn for the Scorchers-squad after Adam Voges got dismissed, as none of the remaining players were able to face Lee’s pace and accuracy. Lee knocked off three wickets for Sydney Sixers at an economy rate of 6.25 from his four overs of bowling.
- Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes (BBL Season 01)
The inaugural season of the Big Bash League witnessed some of the most iconic moments in history, one of which is the match between the arch-rivals, Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes. Winning most of their previous matches in the first edition of the league, the Hurricanes squad was pretty confident and did not have any idea about what they were about to face. With an incredible partnership between Andrew Robinson and Matthew Hayden, the Brisbane Heat became the first team to score over 200 runs in the T20 league. The Hurricanes tried to chase down the target but were down and out at 198.
- Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers (BBL Season 03)
The match between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers in BBL’s third edition witnessed an unexpected ending, as the game was settled by a super over. Lee’s incredible pace and accuracy helped the Sydney Sixers to stop the Scorchers-squad at an attainable score of 153 by picking up four wickets. Everything was going well for the Sydney Sixers until Steve Smith made his way back to the pavilion in the 18th over, as the remaining players struggled to stick to the pitch and score boundaries. The match ended in a draw, and both teams agreed to play the super over, and the Scorchers -squad won the match.
- Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers (BBL Season 02, Semi-Finals)
Not many BBL matches have witnessed rain or bad weather conditions, but the second semi-finals between the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers in the second edition of the league gathered a lot of news headlines due to rain. The weather conditions were not the only reason behind such high media attention, as Melbourne Stars’ star player and skipper, Shane Warne, couldn’t participate in the game. The Perth Scorchers, after winning the toss, chose to field first, which left the Warne-led Melbourne Stars with no other choice than to bat in the bad weather. Melbourne’s fans had to face another shock of losing one of the most dependable batters, Luke Wright, within the first few overs. Just when everyone had lowered their expectations for Melbourne-squad, the White-Hodge duo struck over 150 runs at an incredible pace, which helped Melbourne Stars to build a decent run-chase of 183 from their 18 overs. Due to the rain, the maximum number of overs was reduced to 13 and the run target to 139 for the Perth Scorchers. Although the target did seem attainable for the Perth squad, they were down and out at 142.
This ends our list of the top five most iconic moments in BBL history. Over the years, the T20 tournament has witnessed several changes, but the love and support from the audience for the game is the same. Different combinations of players and the points table make for an interesting debate among cricket enthusiasts, which is why the T20 cricket league has been witnessing an increase in viewership across the world. We hope this article gave you some insights into the top five most interesting moments in the Big Bash League. Check out more such interesting articles, match highlights, and cricket betting tips for free, and watch the latest BBL highlights on our cricket video channel.