Sport

Big Bash League

BBL homecomings expected for Victorians

Spinner Jon Holland (right) should join the Renegades.

The upcoming Big Bash League season is poised to be a homecoming for several Victorian guns with Jon Holland expected to join the Melbourne Renegades and veteran Brad Hodge a chance to follow suit.

Hazlewood: Cricketers ready to wake up unemployed

On the front foot: Josh Hazlewood believes CA's offer to state-based cricketers has been disrespectful.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood says Australia's top cricketers are ready to wake up unemployed on Saturday, amid an extraordinary declaration from Cricket Australia that $1.2 million in saved player wages per fortnight would be redirected to grassroots cricket.

CA weighs up Christmas Eve BBL derby

Last summer's Melbourne derbies were held on New Year's Day and a week later.

Cricket Australia is considering staging a Big Bash League Melbourne derby on Christmas Eve within two years, as part of a festive-season bonanza.

WBBL braces for clash of codes

Multi-tasker: Emma Kearney would be affected by a clash between the WBBL and AFLW.

The prospect of a showdown between the Women's Big Bash League and AFLW next summer is becoming more realistic, and Cricket Australia hopes its beefed-up pay offer to female players will help sway them to choose cricket over football

Not quite ready, set, go!

Illustration: Jim Pavlidis

Dan Vettori, coach of the Brisbane Heat, Middlesex and the Royal Bangalore Challengers, is considered one of the bright young things in the bright young game. One of his philosophies is that cricketers are more likely to play the T20 game well when they feel slightly under-prepared.

Sixers eye WBBL crown

Final-bound: The Sydney Sixers celebrate a wicket during their crushing 103-run win over the Hurricanes in their WBBL ...

Lessons learnt from last year's decider and a record-breaking semi-final win have the Sydney Sixers poised to claim their maiden Women's Big Bash title against Perth on Saturday.

More early starts an option for bigger Bash

Fans can expect to see more of Big Bash teams from next season after Cricket Australia announces more games.

Cricket Australia says more afternoon and twilight Big Bash League matches will be considered in an attempt to squeeze an extra eight games into the BBL season without it dragging it out too long.

BBL: Lehmann urges Stars to sack Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen: Darren Lehmann isn't a fan.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has launched into Kevin Pietersen, urging the Melbourne Stars to dump the maverick batsman after the Stars were beaten in Tuesday night's Big Bash League semi-final.

Wicked Mitch of the West's incredible bowling spell

He's still got it: Mitchell Johnson delivered one of the most devastating spells of bowling in Twenty20 history.

Mitchell Johnson produced one of the greatest bowling displays ever seen in BBL history to lead the Perth Scorchers to a seven-wicket victory over the Melbourne Stars in Tuesday night's semi-final at the WACA Ground.

'Robust' discussions needed to fix BBL scheduling clash

Marcus Stoinis has been called up for international duty but hasn't played a game.

Melbourne Stars chief executive Clint Cooper has called for a Big Bash League symposium in a bid to find a solution to scheduling to allow Australia's international players more time in the burgeoning Twenty20 competition.

Struggling Stars to meet Scorchers in semi-final

Kevin Pietersen risks a quick single.

The weakened Melbourne Stars will head into this week's semi-final against the Perth Scorchers needing a burst of inspiration after dropping their final two regular season Big Bash League matches.

BBL Live: Stars v Sixers

Can Rob Quiney and the Stars set a big run chase for the Sixers.

The Stars take on the Sydney Sixers at the MCG fighting for a finals spot and chance of a home semi-final.

Heartbreak for Stars in Hobart

Contrasting emotions: Hobart's Corinne Hall celebrates but there's devastation for the Stars' Gemma Triscari.

A boundary by Corrine Hall has secured the Hobart Hurricanes a narrow victory over the Melbourne Stars and a spot in the WBBL semi-finals.

KP takes aim Cricket Australia

No shortage of opinions: Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen has taken aim at Cricket Australia, claiming it has reneged on a promise to free allrounder Marcus Stoinis from international duty for Saturday night's pivotal Big Bash League clash against the Sydney Sixers.

'C-Grade' Gotch turns heads on debut

Gotcha moment: Seb Gotch's short sleeves got the tongues wagging.

He was dressed like he'd been plucked from "C-Grade club cricket", but Seb Gotch has showed he has what it takes to make it in the professional game.

Stars hopeful of a surprise boost for Sixers clash

Luke Wright says the Stars are still in a good position, despite losing to a depleted Brisbane side on Tuesday.

Banishing suggestions of "doom and gloom", the Melbourne Stars are cautiously hopeful of being boosted by the return of one of their international representatives for Saturday night's season-defining Big Bash League clash against the Sydney Sixers at the MCG.

Brisbane ready to put Heat on Renegades

Brisbane Heat's Joe celebrate their win over the Stars on Tuesday.

The Melbourne Renegades will need to combat a Brisbane Heat side determined to rubber-stamp a home Big Bash League semi-final when they clash at the Gabba on Friday night.

Live: Stars v Heat

Kevin Pietersen is having a terrific season for the Stars

Follow the action as Brisbane travel to Melbourne to face the Stars at the MCG.