Big Bash Daily: Scorchers make it three in a row to humble champions Sixers

Mitch Marsh came to the fore as Perth Scorchers won by 86 runs over the 2019-20 winners, whose position at the top of the table is now under threat

Roy highlights home comforts

While on the mic during the Sixers' pursuit of 184 to win, Jason Roy was quizzed by the assembled commentary team regarding life in Australia. He even had to dodge the question regarding his favourite ground Down Under.

But perhaps the most pertinent part of the conversation came when the topic turned to events at home in the United Kingdom, where a third lockdown to help contain cases, hospitalisations and deaths caused by Covid-19 is underway.

Against the backdrop of testing, bio-secure bubbles and quarantine is the reality that while players are well-protected against possible exposure to the virus, friends and family whether a few miles down the road or in another country are not always as well-catered for.

It was only a short answer before actual cricket got in the way, but Roy provided a glimpse into one of the silent issues affecting players of all teams.

The England opener revealed that some friends in the UK had tested positive for Covid-19, highlighting that while his own health will be his utmost concern, it isn't the only matter at hand.

This is not an appeal for an answer to this quandary, but merely an opportunity to highlight that as safe as an individual can be made to feel, that is only part of the problem. And one which is accentuated when a few thousand miles separate you from loved ones. This is part of the sacrifice, that in this case, cricketers are making.

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Scorchers make it three in a row

The shock of the tournament so far? In terms of the margin of victory, Scorchers toppling Sixers will be tough to match over the next month.

Sixers still have a buffer in the top five but this defeat will give their rivals below hope they can be overhauled.

This was the reigning champions' second-worst defeat in BBL history. Not since they were thumped by 94 runs by Melbourne Stars in 2019 have they suffered such a damaging defeat. Of course, later that season they were able to avenge that loss in the final.

Daniel Hughes' side allowed 99 for 3 with six overs left to become 184 to win. Notts pair Jake Ball and Dan Christian were punished, while Steve O'Keefe got the rough-end of the power surge as his final over went for 19. 

Credit to Mitch Marsh, who went into full attack mode and it paid off. His half-century at a strike-rate of 211.11 probably swung the match.

Nevertheless, Sixers collapsed from 44 for 2 to 97 all out with a bit of a whimper. The Jhye Richardson-Andrew Tye axis shared seven wickets and was inspired.

Scorchers have gone from a winless four-game run to three successes on the bounce. The beauty of the bonus points system launches them to within two of the top five and keeps them firmly in the hunt for the playoffs at the mid-way point.

^{Jason Roy is one of 14 English players at the BBL}

DRS voices grow

Sydney Thunder coach Shane Bond has joined the calls for the Decision Review System to be introduced in the Big Bash League.

But the ex-New Zealand seamer feels it should have been parachuted into the 10th edition at the mid-way point, which was reached this week.

BBL chief Alistair Dobson has confirmed the technology will be considered for future editions but has concerns over its use.

There have been a handful of on-field errors during this season and while the likes of the IPL and PSL have use of the technology, the BBL threatens to be left behind according to Bond.

"You're using TV replays for catches on the half-volleys, no-balls, run-outs and boundaries where you waste a real amount of time," Bond told AAP.

"But they won't bring in a review.

"You would hope that CA would just listen to the fans. The fans want one thing and that's decision reviews. Players want it, the fans want it.

"I think if they were pragmatic enough to allow a review with the technology it would satisfy everyone. For whatever reason, they don't want to do it.

"It just reeks of them not being in touch with the people and they're not prepared to listen."

^{Shane Bond has thrown his weight behind calls for DRS to be introduced for the BBL}

Lynn on course to make full recovery

Chris Lynn's early return from a hamstring injury is set to continue on Thursday (January 7) after being named in the Brisbane Heat squad for the clash with Melbourne Stars.

The 30-year-old was expected to miss six group matches after suffering a muscle tear while training ahead of the clash with Adelaide Strikers earlier in the competition.

But after sitting out four games he was deployed as the Heat's X-Factory player in the win over Sydney Thunder. Lynn replaced Matthew Kuhnemann after 10 overs at The Gabba and scored 30 in a successful chase.

Heat are now considering re-introducing their skipper from the start.

"It’s a late-game tomorrow so he will have plenty of recovery time as part of the build-up during the day tomorrow," said stand-in captain Jimmy Peirson.

"He pulled up really well after being the X-Factor player on Monday and hasn’t missed a beat since we got to the Gold Coast."

Lachy Pfeffer has returned to the Heat squad after Connor Sully was released to play Premier cricket for Norths this weekend. Sully had previously been enlisted to replace injured left-arm seamer Matt Willans.