Big Bash Daily: Fletcher flies and Billings prevails in the battle of the Spitfires

Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat boosted their play-off ambitions with much-needed wins - but what else stood out?

Flying Fletcher

Melbourne Stars were given a helping hand towards victory over Hobart Hurricanes thanks to two storming catches by Andre Fletcher in the deep.

The 33-year-old has struggled to hit is straps with the bat, failing to go beyond 12 in his seven knocks, but finally produced a worthwhile contribution on the field.

Fletcher showed the kind of flamboyance required to pull off the first of his two grabs, coming in off the rope to help dismiss Colin Ingram. He had to adjust mid-air to take the ball behind him after misjudging his approach.

Better was to come from the final ball of the 19th over, with 21 required, when he dived to his left to dismiss Ben McDermott who looked to have sent Liam Hatcher to the boundary.

It was a match-winning catch which was followed by a shake and a shimmy from the West Indian, which might upset the BBL fun police, but injected some levity to a moment of pure class.

ANDRE FLETCHER 👀#BBL10pic.twitter.com/nEwJ7SZnTd

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) January 4, 2021

Billings bragging rights?

It was the clash of the Kent stars in Brisbane as Sam Billings and Joe Denly clashed for Sydney Thunder and Heat, respectively.

Billings will claim he prevailed, smashing an electric 22, hitting one six into the top tier at The Gabba, before stumping his international and club teammate off Tanveer Sangha in the chase.

But if Billings won the battle, Denly will argue that he won the war. On his second Heat outing since emerging from quarantine, Denly struck a punchy fifty from 36 balls.

The damage was done by the time Billings intervened, so while the personal bragging rights might be his it counted for little come the final outcome.

Tanveer Sangha is on a hat-trick, and is also the proud new owner of the BKT Golden Cap! 👏@BKTTires | #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/yyUqxymdE1

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 4, 2021

Man on the mic

I have previously written about music unnecessarily dominated every gap between balls during this year's BBL. You don't stop having fun until we say so, seems to be the mantra from the organisers.

But at both The Gabba and the Bellerive Oval the PA announcer was also blasted out, dominating every interval and even talking over deliveries.

The art of commentary is said to be as much about what you don't say, as what you do. The same can be said about creating an atmosphere. Sometimes it is ok to allow it to flourish.

But the BBL does not rest on its laurels. Spectators cannot be left alone. They need poking, inspiring and invigorating at every possible moment. It is an audible workout for the mind and the body.

It almost feels as though the fan is working to uphold the reputation of an event. If those in attendance aren't seen to be having a good time - and organisers will prod every button available - the event cannot be painted in a positive light.

You'd think, after fans have been locked out of venues, forcing them into action would be the last thing required. Apparently not.

Burns respite

This has not been the summer that at one time Joe Burns believed it would be. Out, then in and then out of the Australia Test team all in the space of a few weeks, he has ended up back in the Big Bash with Heat.

Dumped for the rest of the India series, the BBL must feel like the wooden spoon amid a season which promised so much.

Therefore, it was nice to see the 31-year-old hitting the ball cleanly and enjoying some time at the crease. His 52 was his highest score in any form of cricket since March, 15 innings ago.

Away from the bright lights of international cricket, perhaps the BBL is the perfect refuge for Burns alongside the likes of Chris Lynn and Denly. Heat require him to recapture his best form as soon as possible if they're to smuggle themselves into the latter stages.

500 wickets for Lewis Gregory, whose stock continues to rise

Opportunity knocks for Renegades

Michael Klinger's position as Melbourne Renegades coach is under some degree of pressure, with his team once again propping up the BBL table.

Since taking over the then reigning champions ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, Renegades have lost 17 of their 21 matches including the last six of this year's edition.

They already trail fifth-place Adelaide Strikers by eight points. If it weren't for the Bash Boost bonus system they would be have been cast aside barely half-way through the group stage.

But back-to-back matches against Strikers represents a crucial opportunity to turn their campaign around. Two wins and suddenly concerns over Klinger's future can be discarded. A failure to make up any ground means attention will surely turn to next season.

And that will very likely be without Klinger at the helm.