5 Conclusions from the Big Bash

This year’s Big Bash came to a close with the Perth Scorchers defeating the Sydney Sixers in dramatic fashion.

Legendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee nearly produced heroics to see the Sixers home, but a scrambled single from the last ball secured consecutive titles for the Scorchers.

It was a fitting end to the showpiece of a forever-adapting, modern incarnation of cricket.

The tournament has undoubtedly been a success. There have been plenty of outstanding performances, talking points and amusing asides.

Read on to find out five things that have stood out in this year’s competition. 

Good Bowlers Trump Good Batsmen

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The tournament winners, Perth Scorchers, won mainly because of their bowling attack. Of course, to win a competition, you need a well-rounded side, but the team's bowlers led the charge.

Perth batsman Michael Klinger may have finished as the top run-scorer, but the bowling rankings tell an important story.

The Western Australian side had three of the top four bowlers in the competition, with Jason Behrendorff, Yasir Arafat and Andrew Tye all exceptional in restricting their opponents.

As well as bowling wicket-taking deliveries, all three managed expert control in the final overs. Yorkers were mixed in with slower balls to limit boundary opportunities, leaving moderate totals for their batsmen to chase.

The bowling attack was balanced, with veteran leg-spinner Brad Hogg and left-armer Ashton Agar also regularly contributing. 

Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff

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The two men crucial to England’s famous 2005 Ashes win had a productive Big Bash.

Kevin Pietersen finished as second top run-scorer and was, as ever, a constant source of entertainment and indignation.

More importantly however, he increased his worth to the media. He gave regular pitch-side interviews, opened up to Ricky Ponting in the commentary box and played the role of Big Bash cheerleader expertly.

Similarly, Flintoff performed well. A nominal all-rounder for Brisbane Heat, he took just three wickets and made 74 runs, but his real value lay elsewhere.

Freddie sang Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" to the commentators and viewers while fielding on the boundary. He commentated while batting. He even went on an Australian talk show.

Overall, English cricket’s two biggest names enjoyed their Australian jaunt and did their own brands no harm at all. 

T20 Is Still a Springboard for Talent

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Away from celebrity Englishmen and the media circus, there was of course some exciting cricket.

Twenty20 cricket has long been a format in which youngsters are given a chance to shine, and the Big Bash this year was no different.

Travis Head, the 21-year-old Adelaide Strikers batsman, burst into the Big Bash with a fantastic 71 from 34 deliveries against the Melbourne Renegades.

Young leg-spinner Adam Zampa also impressed for the Strikers with nine wickets and a low economy rate.

Fast bowling prospect Sean Abbott continued his fine form, too. The 22-year-old took nine wickets for the Sydney Sixers after recently being named Australia’s Young Cricketer of the Year. 

The Marketing Was Spot on

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The Big Bash has received many plaudits for engaging a wider audience. Crowds have been impressive, with the inclusion of young children and families particularly noticeable.

Attendances regularly exceeded 30,000, which undoubtedly has much to do with the marketing of the tournament.

All the usual T20 razzmatazz was there in abundance as well as familiar voices in the commentary box.

Emphasis was placed upon entertainment, and as a result, Mexican waves, half-time entertainment, music and various other gimmicks were embraced.

People who would not normally watch cricket were compelled to attend, and in a period of wilting interest in the sport, that can only be a positive thing.

There Is an Appetite for Change in England

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The success of the Big Bash and its differences to the English domestic T20 competition, the T20 Blast, were constantly pointed out.

It wasn't just Kevin Pietersen, either.

Englishmen Michael Lumb, Luke Wright and Michael Carberry took part in the competition and all sung its praises. Meanwhile, social media was alight with English domestic cricketers admiring the packed stadiums and quality of cricket.

"

How good is the big bash, we have to do something with our comp otherwise we'll get left behind. Gotta inspire the kids.

— Andrew Gale (@GaleyLad) January 3, 2015"

Could the T20 Blast learn from the Big Bash? Would franchises work in England? Is the quality really higher?

These questions are as yet unanswered, but the Big Bash has helped spark an important self-appraisal of English T20 cricket.