Why a cricket fan cannot afford to miss the last week of BBL 2020-21 group stage

The Big Bash League 2020-21 has been fought with so much competitiveness even without the top Australian players being there, that it has made a lasting impact on those who have watched it since the beginning. The brilliant catch and extraordinary ground fielding from the likes of Jordan Silk and Max Bryant, eventful batting with sixes hit as far as out of the stadium and onto the road by Ben McDermott, classy shots of Josh Phillippe, and the usual run-getters in the form of Alex Hales and Alex Carey. 

It hasn't just been about runs in this tournament, some exciting spells have also been bowled and there have come bowlers who have been terrific with their economy rate, one of them being Englishman Danny Briggs. Spinners, like Adam Zampa, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, the ever accurate Rashid Khan, and even young guns like Peter Hartzogolu and Tanveer Sangha have impressed one and all. But there is one guy who has been among wickets like none other, the paceman from Western State- Jhye Richardson. He has so far taken 21 wickets in just 11 innings and hit lengths that are hard to negotiate for the batters. 

But it isn't just the talent of all these players that would be at your display in the last seven days, including today, of the BBL. It is rather the situation of the Points table which is the key to ultimate excitement. As of 19th January, all eight teams have played 11 games each and apart from Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades, nobody is secure in their positions. While Sixers have gathered up 32 points, which is more than enough to take them through, the Renegades are out of the race with just 10 points from their 11 games. 

Therefore the situation for the remaining six teams can and will change with every match in the next seven days, including today. Among the six, only three can get through to the Playoffs. 

The direct fight scenario

The Scorchers with 24 points from 11 games are in a direct fight with Thunder, Stars, and Hurricanes as these teams have 23 points each from the same number of games. Also among these four teams, Scorchers play the two of them in their next three games. Thus making their two games a must-win while in the third game they face Heat who also have an outside chance at qualification. 

Apart from the Scorchers, the other teams have relatively easier games. For example, Thunder play Strikers twice, who are at 20 points. But if Strikers manage to beat Thunder in both the games, they would come in the race automatically. The other match of the Thunder is the Sydney Derby. 

Melbourne Stars, who are playing Renegades today, have to play Sixers and Scorchers. Out of the two only Scorchers are in a direct flight with them, so they can afford to take the other two games easily, but that doesn’t mean they can lose the two games. Because losing is really not an option for any of the six teams. Hobart Hurricanes have the same opponent as Stars, so it’s basically a race between the two as to who can get one of the three available seats for the Playoffs first. 

Outsiders in the race

Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers are separated by just one point as Heat have 21 and Strikers 20. Both are in with a very good outside chance to make it to the Playoffs, but as with the top four teams in the race, they cannot afford a loss. The game between the two of them on 21 January will clear a lot of things. The winner of that game will move to at least 23 and at max 25 points and will then enter the direct flight scenario with two matches to go. 

The loser will not be rendered useless, but apart from winning its own two matches, it would also have to depend on their results. 

Bash Boost's importance

The real importance of the Bash Boost point is going to be evaluated now as from now onwards, every point matters. One point could be the difference between making it to the Playoffs or not and hence we might see teams defending or chasing that Bash Best way more aggressively than they did before. 

What's with Sixers and Renegades?

In the above scenarios, we discussed how each team can beat Sixers and the Men in Pink wouldn’t mind. Actually, they can afford to do that. As even after losing their three matches, they would have 32 points. And with 32 points they are secure as four teams will never be able to cross that mark, no matter how much they tried. 

Though Renegades cannot reach the Playoffs themselves but can very well spoil the chances of the rest of the teams thus they become the most dangerous side. They have their matches left against Stars (Ongoing), Hurricanes, and Heat, all of whom are in contention for the Playoffs.

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