Image: Wikipedia
Season 13 of the BBL blasts off tomorrow night with the Brisbane Heat taking on the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba. Forty-three games later the Final will be played on January 24 at a venue to be decided based on finals results.
For all the ins and outs of the tournament’s organisation, read the cricket.com.au season preview HERE.
To see the full squad lists for all eight franchises click HERE.
To see the full draw for BBL13 click HERE.
To whet your appetite for what’s ahead, revisit last season’s classic finale:
So get ready for the hoopla and OTT commentary as the new season begins.
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As today is New Year’s Day and the Brisbane Heat are playing the Melbourne Stars tonight at the Gabba, it got me thinking of doing a cricket team of players where either their surname has a connection to the name of a BBL team or the player has been a professional boxer at some time, eg Andrew Flintoff and Adam Hollioake have had professional boxing fights and a boxer comes under a STRIKER. They were also included to strengthen the batting for this team. In the case of Ray Bright, the STARS are bright. In the case of Alex Hales, he actually did play for the Sydney Thunder.
It doesn’t matter if the players have played Test, first class or BBL cricket, or if the spelling is incorrect.
Here is the World Cricket Team of Players who Should Play for These BBL Teams:
1. Chris GAyLe (c) Hobart HURRUCANNES/Gale)
2. Alex HALEs (wk) (Sydney THUNDER/hail)
3. Aiden BLIZZARD (Hobart HURRICANES/blizzard)
4. Joe BURNs (Perth SCORCHERS/burn)
5. Adam Hollioake (Adelaide STRIKERS/professional boxer)
6. Andrew Flintoff (Adelaide STRIKERS/professional boxer)
7. Paul REIFFEL (Adelaide STRIKERS/Rifle Strike)
8. Mitchell STARc (Melbourne STARS/star in his surname)
9. Ray BRIGHT (Melbourne STARS/The stars are bright.)
10. Sam RAINbird (Sydney THUNDER/rain)
11. Joffra ARCHER (Adelaide STRIKERS/The Archer strikes)
12th man Harry FREI (Perth SCORCHERS/fry)
This team will play an exhibition match against an All Stars BBL team.
The match will played at The MCG.
Entertainment will be provided by the songs “The HEAT Is On” and “You Don’t Have to Be a STAR (To Be In My Show)”.
Transport will be provided by MELBOURNE STAR Chauffered Cars.
Accommodation will be 5 STAR Hotels.
Let’s hope for a good game of cricket, with HEAT between the players and STAR entertainment!
I forgot to mention that Aiden BLIZZARD did actually play for the Hobart HURRICANES at one stage.
“The Heat is On” is sung by Glen FReY (fry for Perth SCORCHERS).
Entertainment will also be provided by Ringo STARr.
The coach of this team and the Brisbane HEAT can be former West Coast and St Kilda player Jason HEATley. (current Coach of Wangaratta FC in the Ovens & Murray Football League).