Ranking the Top 5 Bowlers in the Big Bash League so Far
The 2014/15 Big Bash League has gotten off to a flying start with runs, explosive shots and big hits aplenty...but let's not forget about the often-overlooked bowlers.
The men delivering the ball often get a bad deal in Twenty 20 cricket, but the skill set of those who can keep their composure when the ball is flying out of the park on a regular basis deserves some respect.
And here at Bleacher Report, we like to give respect. So here are the top five bowlers in the BBL so far.
5. Andrew Tye
1 of 5
Matches: 5
Wickets: 7
Average: 16.71
Economy rate: 6.50
Best figures: 2/12
Andrew Tye is arguably the surprise package of BBL 2015 and one of the main reasons the Perth Scorchers are challenging for the top spot.
The relatively unknown 28-year-old's medium pacers have proved both hard to get away—his economy rate is 6.50 from 18 overs—and dangerous, as evidenced by his seven victims.
But where did he come from? After scratching around in various 2nd XIs, including Durham, Northamptonshire and Somerset in the UK, Tye's perseverance paid off when he broke into Perth's limited overs team in last year's BBL.
4. Adam Zampa
2 of 5
Matches: 5
Wickets: 6
Average: 18.16
Economy rate: 5.73
Best figures: 2/26
Five games into the competition and it is the Adelaide Strikers that are sitting at the top of the pile. And one of the reasons has been the form of Adam Zampa.
The leg-spinner—insert Shane Warne comparisons here—has managed to keep his composure to return the lowest economy rate for any bowler who has delivered 15 overs or more.
And while the 22-year-old isn't the biggest turner of the ball, six scalps show that he isn't just in the team to soak up a few overs. He's one to watch.
3. Brett Lee
3 of 5
Matches: 5
Wickets: 7
Average: 19.14
Economy rate: 6.70
Best figures: 3/34
He may be seen as a veteran these days, but few batsmen enjoy facing the 38-year-old Brett Lee, and the Australian has wrecked havoc in this year's tournament so far.
The veteran of 76 Test matches has picked up seven victims, including a three-wicket haul against Hobart, to help the Sydney Sixers challenge for top spot in the table.
Equally impressive is an economy rate, with Lee using all of his experience to concede an average of just 6.70 runs per over from the 20 he has delivered so far.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
2. Jason Behrendorff
4 of 5
Matches: 5
Wickets: 9
Average: 13.22
Economy rate: 5.95
Best figures: 4/22
Alongside Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff's wickets and accuracy have helped the Perth Scorchers put one foot in the semi-finals with just three games to go.
The left-arm paceman kick-started his side's campaign by claiming four victims against Adelaide and has contributed in every game since, including a miserly four over spell that went for just 17 against the Sydney Sixers.
But the 24-year-old is no flash in the pan. After finishing as the second-highest wicket taker in the 2013-14 Sheffield Shield, Behrendorff received a call-up to the Australian A squad, and big things are expected in the future.
1. John Hastings
5 of 5
Matches: 5
Wickets: 10
Average: 12.80
Economy rate: 8.25
Best figures: 3/24
Something of a late developer, it would be no surprise if John Hastings ends up making an impact in the 2015 Ashes in the summer as he is the sort of cricketer that any side would want in their line-up.
Bowling with a heavy seam, the paceman has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years and has been the star bowler so far in this year's BBL.
A 3 of 24 haul against Hobart, while most of his peers were getting smashed around the park, was his stand out performance, but the 29-year-old has a league-leading 10 scalps overall and is yet to produce a wicket-less return.
Throw in his late-order lusty blows, and, if Hastings can make a few more headlines over the next few months, who is to say he won't book himself a flight to London in July?
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
