KFC Big Bash: Round One Review

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Nichael Bluth in T20

 

At 51allout we’re pretty clear with regards to T20 cricket: we don’t care for it. Like young person’s music, it’s too vulgar for our more refined tastes. But we have to admit, the circus that is the KFC Big Bash has managed to pique our interest. Perhaps it’s the ridiculous team names and colours, or perhaps it’s the retirement home vibe of the whole thing. Or maybe it’s the fact that we’re obsessed with eating the Chilli Relish and Cheddar Burger from the Signature range. Either way, we sat down to watch some of it this weekend (the cricket that is, not the burgers).

From an English perspective there were a few players that we were particularly interested in – Paul Collingwood strutting his stuff for Perth Scorchers, Luke Wright waddling around for Melbourne Stars and Owas Shah running himself out for Hobart Hurricanes. Plus there was the OAP spinners competition. After all, who hasn’t been crying out to see Brad Hogg back in the action?

For the England boys it was a pretty disappointing weekend. Paul Collingwood went wicketless and made just four with the bat as Perth slumped to a crushing defeat at the WACA. As sure as night follows day Owais Shah (in opposition) made 24 before running himself out in ridiculous fashion.

Luke Wright made a brisk 27* and took 1/35 from his four overs but it wasn’t enough to stop the Sydney Thunder (we weren’t joking about those team names) romping to victory, helped by two overs of what we’ll politely describe as gentle leg-spin from one SK Warne. David Warner chose not to take a single off the first ball of every over, instead lumping the ball into the crowd on a regular basis, making 102*. Jade Dernbach failed to impress with the ball taking 0/36, but his modern haircut apparently went down a storm with the locals.

In the first game of the round former England international Michael Lumb made 18, but was overshadowed by Brad Haddin who made 76 to see the Sydney Sixers (again, we weren’t joking) home against Brisbane Heat. We’ll be honest – we can’t remember much about this game. Even occasional cricket writers have better things to do on a Friday night sometimes. Apparently there was another game as well, Adelaide Strikers thrashing the Melbourne Renegades, but the emergence from retirement of Ashes hero Graham Manou failed to get our juices flowing.

Unlike the Smoked Bacon and Parmesan Burger, which just sounds amazing.

 

Final thoughts

Just to clarify, other greasy chicken-based food vendors are available.