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Big Bash 2014/15: Spectacular semi-finals in store after box office finish to group stage

Stand by for Strikers v Sixers and Scorchers v Stars on Sky Sports!

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Watch Freddy singing Elvis during the Big Bash League match between Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes. Watch it live on Sky Sports 2.

Presenter Matt Floyd reflects on a pulsating group stage and looks ahead to this weekend's mouth-watering semi-finals...

Just when you thought the Big Bash couldn’t get any better it comes back stronger than ever!

BBL4 has arguably been the most pulsating instalment so far. Once again it’s the players that have come to fore, offering up must see entertainment both on the pitch and on the mic.

KP and Freddie Flintoff have been box office. The two old stagers have given the coverage an extra element with their mic’ed up commentary on the field and been relaxed and witty at the same time. Especially Freddie.

It should come as no surprise that he’s taken to it all like a duck to water, showing us why he’s been such a popular member of every dressing room he’s been in.

If you haven’t seen his impression of Elvis during the Heat’s last game against the Hurricanes, make sure you watch the video above as it’s must see tv!

Pietersen hasn’t come across quite as relaxed as Flintoff but on the field he was the clear winner. I’ll discuss what the future holds for both of them in my final Big Bash blog.

More from Big Bash League 2014/15

Mouth-watering

It’s semi-final time and we couldn’t be heading into the knockout stages off the back of a more exciting pair of games.

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Peter Handscomb blazed an unbeaten century to fire the Melbourne Stars to a last-over, three-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers in a thriller at the MCG.

In what could be a significant result the Melbourne Stars came back from what looked like certain defeat to set up a semi-final rematch with the Perth Scorchers.

Needing 91 off the final seven overs and with all their batting big guns back in the dugout, unknown 23-year-old batsman-keeper Peter Handscomb managed to mastermind a brilliant run chase.

He finished the game with two sweetly struck sixes to end on 103 not out off just 64 balls; as Bob Willis would say ‘remember the name – Peter Handscomb’.

Then in the final group game of the competition we saw an even more stunning finish.

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Sydney Sixers record a last-ball four-wicket victory over Sydney Thunder to give Brett Lee the perfect send-off in his last match at the SCG.

A crowd of over 36,000 had packed into the SCG (a New South Wales domestic attendance record) for Brett Lee’s last game at the ground and they weren’t disappointed.

The Thunder looked set for a first win over their Sydney rivals the Sixers until Jordan Silk, Sean Abbott and Steven O’Keefe plundered 56 off the final three overs, including 23 off the last, to snatch a last-ball win….what a fitting send off for one of Australia’s greatest fast bowlers it was!

So, it’s off to the Adelaide Oval for the first semi-final between the home town Strikers and the Sixers.

Most runs in Group stage

  • M Klinger (Scorchers) - 288
  • J Silk (Sixers) - 266
  • K Pietersen (Stars) - 262
  • C Lynn (Heat) – 243
  • A Blizzard (Thunder) - 240

The Sydney side will be buzzing after that amazing win but taking on the Strikers will be a wholly different proposition.

Statistically, the Strikers were the best batting side of the Group phase and the second best bowling unit. They are an extremely well-drilled team led by the innovative Johan Botha, have arguably the best spin attack and could even have star signing Brad Hodge back from injury.

The Sixers may well be driven to do it for Brett but they will have to play out of their skins to upset the Strikers in front of a crowd that is expected to be over 45,000 strong.

The second semi is between the Perth Scorchers and the Melbourne Stars and is just as mouth-watering.

Most sixes in Group stage

  • N Maddinson (Sixers) - 11
  • T Head (Strikers) - 10
  • N Reardon (Heat) – 10
  • J Kallis (Thunder) - 10
  • T Ludeman (Strikers) - 10
  • C Lynn (Heat) – 10

The amazing Group game win has perhaps inflicted some psychological damage on a side that usually defend totals extremely well but the Scorchers have a daunting record in Perth.

For me, this game is more of a toss-up but I’m going to edge towards the defending Champs.

Most wickets in Group stage

  • J Behrendorff (Scorchers) - 13
  • J Hastings (Stars) - 13
  • B Laughlin (Strikers) - 12
  • Y Arafat (Scorchers) - 12
  • A Tye (Scorchers) - 10
  • C Boyce (Hurricanes) - 10

Despite what happened at the MCG they still have an intimidating bowling attack and I expect them to bounce back on Saturday.

I’ll go for a Strikers v Scorchers Final then but there is one thing that does make me waiver slightly – bizarrely, no side that has finished in the top two places has ever won the Big Bash!

Whatever happens, we should have three spectacular occasions to round off BBL4. As ever, it’s been a ride worth staying on for.

Watch Adelaide Strikers take on Sydney Sixers in the first Big Bash League semi-final from 8am on Sky Sports 2 this Saturday before Perth Scorchers take on Melbourne Stars in the second semi-final, on Sunday from 8am on Sky Sports 3.

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