Floydy wants Thierry Henry to pop into BBL 'atrium'...
Wednesday 30 December 2015 13:35, UK
Why does the Big Bash work so well? Why are Thunder thriving? Will Thierry Henry unleash his cover drive in Sky Studios? BBL presenter Matt Floyd ponders…
As we near the halfway point of Big Bash 05, it seems a good time to look back on what we've seen so far and ask 'why is this tournament so popular?'
I'll start with the latter - there haven't actually been many changes made to the Bash over the last two or three years, with the format not tinkered with and the tournament still played in a block in the school holidays.
The innovations brought in have also remained but have not been revolutionised ('zing' bails, helmet cams, mic'd up players).
I suppose the reason the organisers don't feel the need to change things up is that all the crucial elements are already there and when you think about it, it really is quite simple.
Good weather + good pitches + good cricket + a hint of gloss ('zing' bails etc) = big crowds and viewers. Of course, Australia has the huge benefit of almost guaranteed sunshine but it is still an excellent formula and now it's been found the old adage 'if it ain't broke, why fix it?' comes to mind.
The problem the organisers will have is when the public start to slightly lose interest in the product and those numbers begin to drop off. At the moment, though, things are still very rosy.
We've had a slight change back at Sky as we're now presenting the Bash from near the entrance to Sky Studios (some say it's a corridor but we think 'Atrium' sounds better!). It's definitely more sociable than being in a normal studio as people are constantly coming in to work behind you.
Jonny Nelson and Adam Smith from Sky Sports Boxing, Will Greenwood from Rugby and Matt Le Tissier from Soccer Saturday have all been dragged onto our set at different times and it's always fascinating to chat to other ex-sportsmen about their fields as well as cricket. As a massive Arsenal fan, I'm still hoping Thierry Henry will pop down and talk us through his cover drive!
On the pitch, yet again the English overseas players have been under the spotlight and the early signs are very good. Adil Rashid and David Willey are new signings this year and look to have taken to the additional pressure of being an overseas like ducks to water.
Rashid has probably been the Strikers' best bowler so far and has enhanced his reputation as a leg spinner who is far from easy to pick in the shortest format. He's played in the Bash before (2010-11, before it became a franchise tournament) which must have helped, unlike Willey who turned up at the WACA as a relative unknown to Australian fans.
A few will know who he is now, though, after he found significant swing and accuracy in his first few games, and one suspects he will become a real fan favourite in Perth with his talent and attitude - he's a real no-nonsense competitor.
Not to be outdone, KP has kept his name in the news by bringing his form from the Ram Slam T20 with him - one of the highlights of the competition so far has been his mic'd up innings against the Thunder. A brilliant insight into a superstar T20 batsman's mind.
The Sydney Thunder have been the team of the tournament so far. Yes, you read that correctly, the Sydney Thunder!
Having never won three in a season before they've won their first three this year and the new signings of Andre Russell, Shane Watson, Clint Mckay and Fawad Ahmed are looking very shrewd indeed.
Renegades also look an improved team with the immense Chris Gayle at the top of the order (who started the season with a gold coloured bat - understated as ever, Chris!) but their bowling must be a concern.
'Biggest six of the season so far' award goes to Dan Christian - if you haven't seen it yet, check it out on our website. 117 metres, out of the GABBA….you may never see a bigger one in your life!!
Have a fantastic New Year everyone - as usual there will be plenty of Bash to help you over those early January blues.
Our Big Bash coverage continues on New Year's Eve (8am, Sky Sports 1) as Adelaide Strikers host Sydney Sixers. Click here for a full list of Big Bash fixtures and results.
