1. We’ve got ourselves a selection dilemma





It’s a good problem to have, but Dizzy and the selection committee will have some tough calls to make in the lead-up to Thursday’s semi.

With Mahela Jayawardena and Gary Putland both available for selection after overcoming injuries, it’s likely at least one member of yesterday’s XI will have to make way for Thursday’s final against the Thunder.

Jaywardena’s original replacement in Jono Dean seems the obvious man to draw the short straw, except for the fact that he played really well last night – making an important 48-off-35 balls (including four sixes) at the top of the order to get us off to a great start with the bat.

Regardless of the XI that take the field on Thursday, there’s no question that the depth of our squad is what’s seen us finish on top of the ladder for the second consecutive season, and will hopefully take us to an inaugural Big Bash title.

2. They don’t come much cooler than captain Hodge

It’s every captain’s worst nightmare – trying to defend a reasonable total on the road against a side playing for their finals future, and the most gifted power-hitter in world cricket who’s already on a serious roll.

So what does Hodgey do? He throws the ball to a young part-time off spinner and changes the entire flow of the match in a single over.

Courageous, innovative and daring – but there’s no question the most notable characteristic of Hodge’s captaincy has been his calming influence over the Strikers in BBL|05. His insights into the game during his mid-innings chats with the Channel 10 commentary team are refreshingly candid, and on top of his leadership and experience, he again took the Strikers to a healthy total with another explosive knock of 37* off just 21 deliveries.

He’s already 40 years old still and has another year to go on his contract after BBL|05, but is it too early to be talking extensions?

3. Trav has the midas touch

You know you’re on fire when as a batsman you make a duck in the first innings and still end up with a man-of-the-match award.

After amassing 227 runs in just four matches, Head finally missed out with the bat last night, caught on the fence by Bravo for nought after trying to add to his incredible tally of sixes this tournament. But come the second innings and with Chris Gayle threatening to reel in the Strikers total all by himself, it was Trav who took two vital wickets in one over to halt the Renegades’ momentum, followed by the prized scalp of the ‘World Boss’ himself just a few balls later to end up with figures of 3/16.

Selected in the Australian T20 squad that morning and another match-winning performance in the most unlikely of circumstances – it’s all coming up Trav for the young Striker at the moment.

4. Don’t look now, but Neser is in ripping nick

He’s escaped the limelight in his past two matches, but since returning to the side from illness Michael Neser is producing some very good overs in the absence of spearhead quicks Kane Richardson and Billy Stanlake.

After taking 3/26 against the Hurricanes on Friday and removing Sangakkara first up, it was again Neser who drew first blood for the Strikers last night, delivering an almost unplayable ball to Tom Cooper who was caught nicking one through to Ludes.

The all-rounder then returned to remove Rimmington and snuff out any chance of a Renegades’ resurgence, finishing with figures of 2/15 from his three overs.

He hasn’t had much of a chance with the bat yet, but as long as he keeps producing like that with the ball the 25-year old will end up with another very successful tournament for the Strikers.





5. It’s a good time to be a Strikers fan









For the past two seasons there’s been no more successful team than the Strikers throughout the regular season, having finished top-of-the-table for the second year in a row and experiencing just two losses during the minor rounds.

The next best record belongs to last year’s BBL champions the Perth Scorchers, who dropped six games over BBL|04 and BBL|05.

Of course, at the end of the day minor premierships count for little, and it’s finals where we really need to be able to turn it on. But there’s nothing better than that winning feeling, and we’ve certainly had plenty of it over the last two seasons.

Let’s hope it keeps on rolling for two more matches!