The Bellerive Oval is a cricket ground located on the eastern shore of Hobart, Australia. Also known as the Blundstone Arena for sponsorship reasons, the cricket venue was established in 1914.

With a seating capacity of around 20,000, the Bellerive Oval is the second-largest stadium in Tasmania and the only venue to host international cricket matches in the island state of Australia. 

The venue hosted its first international cricket match, a Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, in December 1989. Since then, the Hobart cricket ground has staged 14 Tests, 36 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20Is so far.

The Bellerive Oval is the home ground for the Tasmanian Tigers, Hobart Hurricanes and the Australian cricket team. It is also the secondary home ground for Australian Football League outfit North Melbourne.

Hosts Australia are unbeaten at the Bellerive Oval in T20I cricket, winning all three matches so far. 

The venue is all set to host the first-round matches of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Let’s have a look at the T20I records at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Bellerive Oval T20I records and stats

Highest total: Australia cricket team’s 213/4 against England is the highest team total at the Bellerive Oval in T20Is. During the first T20I of England’s tour of Australia in 2014, the hosts rode on openers Cameron White’s 75 off 43 balls and Aaron Finch’s 31-ball 52 to post a mammoth score in their 20 overs. Later, Australia restricted England to 200/9 to secure a 13-run victory.

Lowest total: West Indies recorded the lowest total at the Bellerive Oval in T20Is. During an ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 encounter, West Indies were bundled out for 118 in 18.3 overs while chasing West Indies' 160/5 in Hobart in October 2022. Jason Holder top-scored for West Indies with 38. For Scotland, left-arm spinner Mark Watt bagged three wickets while Michael Leask picked up two wickets.

Highest individual score: Australia’s swashbuckling batter Glenn Maxwell holds the record for the highest individual score at the Bellerive Oval in T20I cricket. Batting at number four, Maxwell smashed an unbeaten 58-ball 103 to help Australia chase down England’s 155/9 in 18.3 overs and secure an impressive five-wicket win, with nine balls to spare in 2018.

Best bowling figures: West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has the best bowling figures at this ground in the T20I format. The right-arm pacer picked four wickets for 16 runs in his quota of four overs against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022. His four-wicket haul powered West Indies to a 31-run win in a First Round Group B encounter.

Most runs: Sikandar Raza has scored the most runs at this venue in T20I cricket. The Zimbabwe middle-order batter has amassed 136 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 167.90. He has also slammed a T20I fifty at this venue. Australia's Glenn Maxwell features second on the list with 133 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 168.35.

Most wickets: West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph has picked the most wickets at the Bellerive Oval in T20 Internationals. Between 2022 and 2024, the right-arm fast bowler has bagged eight wickets in four games at an average of 16.12 and an economy of 8.06.

Highest partnership: Ireland's Curtis Campher and George Dockrell hold the record for the highest partnership at this venue in T20Is. The two forged an unbeaten 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket against Scotland in October 2022. The impressive partnership helped Ireland chase down Scotland's 176/5 in 19 overs.

Photo credit: WILLIAM WEST / AFP

Record Indian T20 League champions, team Mumbai entered the auction with a clear idea of roping a strike partner for Jasprit Bumrah. After parting ways with Lasith Malinga, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson and Mitchell McClenaghan, the dire need of acquiring a front-line pacer was evident and they did get that.

The defending champions are roaring again at the back of retaining the core and would want to become the first team in Indian T20 League history to win the title three times in a row. Judging by the talent they have in their roster, one just cannot rule out the possibility, and the addition of Adam Milne and resigning Coulter-Nile has further helped their cause.

A familiar face has come back to the Wankhede #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/4jNbQcg4sU

�?Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 18, 2021

Apart from the pace duo, the defending champions also acquired the services of Piyush Chawla, who was released by Chennai, James Neesham and Arjun Tendulkar amongst others.

Blue suits PC!

Here’s a message from our latest recruit #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/QYAGAa2pfu

�?Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 18, 2021

Players Bought: Adam Milne (3.20 Cr), Nathan Coulter-Nile (5 Cr), Piyush Chawla (2.4 Cr), James Neesham (50 L), Marco Jensen (20 L), Yudhvir Charak (20 L), Arjun Tendulkar (20 L)

Full Squad: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Quinton de Kock, Anmolpreet Singh, Aditya Tare, Chris Lynn, Saurabh Tiwary, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Jayant Yadav, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohsin Khan, Rahul Chahar, Anukul Roy, Adam Milne, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, James Neesham, Marco Jansen, Yudhvir Charak, Arjun Tendulkar.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Noah Seelam

The opening week of the Big Bash League 2020-21 season was packed with intense drama and quality action that kept fans contemplating for some more.

Defending champions Sydney Sixers kickstarted their title defence on a sour note while last year’s runners-up Melbourne Stars won their opening set of fixtures quite comprehensively.

With a host of high-octane fixtures in the pipeline, we signal out the five players who are tipped to shine in the second week of Australia’s T20 extravaganza.

Player: Marnus Labuschagne, Brisbane Heat

Match: Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat

Though Marnus Labuschagne is yet to explore his immense potential, his glimpses of brilliance in the last term and the intra-squad warm-up match during Australia’s limited-overs tour of England propelled Brisbane Heat re-sign the 26-year-old for the Big Bash League 2020-21 season.

A confident hitter of the ball, Labuschagne is now in his fifth season with the Heat. While he has only played 10 matches in BBL so far, with 97 runs to his name, the Test superstar has earned the backing of head coach Darren Lehmann to attain success in the T20 format.

Labuschagne begins his 2020-21 campaign against Sydney Thunder on Monday, and is primed to register a commanding score in the middle order.

Player: Colin Ingram, Hobart Hurricanes 

Match: Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes

Hobart Hurricanes made a prolific start to the Big Bash League 2020-21 season, thanks to Colin Ingram’s 42-ball 55 who is eager to continue the form against his former employers Adelaide Strikers. 

The South African middle-order batsman, who was drafted in as a replacement for England’s Dawid Malan, last featured in the competition back in 2018 where he hit 333 runs in 13 matches for Adelaide Strikers.

Ingram has racked up 665 runs in 26 matches in his entire Big Bash League career, at a strike rate of 138.25 and will look to add on to the count on Monday. 

Player: Marcus Stoinis, Melbourne Stars

Match: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars

Marcus Stoinis�?impact as a T20 superstar is widely known, with his 2020 Indian T20 League campaign with Delhi a clear indicator of his match-winning capability. The all-rounder, who finished as the Man of the Series in the 2019-20 season as well the leading run-getter with 705 runs, has a record of 1763 runs and 34 wickets from 62 matches and is favoured to be among the leading performers for week two.

After being dismissed for a duck in the opening fixture, Stoinis bounced back with a match-winning knock of 61 against Sydney Thunder and will look to extend his momentum against a struggling Perth Scorchers side, who were humbled by Melbourne Renegades in the previous fixture.

Player: Aaron Finch, Melbourne Renegades

Match: Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades

Fresh from a confident campaign with the national team in limited-overs cricket, Aaron Finch has made a positive return to the Big Bash League with a 28-ball 35 against Perth Scorchers.

The Australian skipper, who had scored 363 runs last term, is the second-highest run-getter in the history of the Big Bash League with 2275 runs. Given his strike rate of 136.22, onlookers can safely say that the 34-year-old Victorian will prolong his optimistic start when he returns to the pitch on Sunday, against Sydney Sixers.

Player: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Melbourne Stars

Match: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars

The Big Bash League has been a perfect competition to explore the tenacity of Australia’s homegrown pacers, and, amongst the many matchwinners to represent Melbourne Stars in the T20 extravaganza, Nathan Coulter-Nile has made a name for himself. The all-rounder, in his second season with Melbourne Stars, made a blistering start to the latest campaign as he bagged a four-wicket haul against Brisbane Heat.

The 33-year-old has 60 wickets in his Big Bash League career and is all set to cross swords with his previous team Perth Scorchers. He is tipped to maintain the Stars�?quality start to the 2020-21 edition.

Feature Image courtesy: AFP/ David Gray

Mumbai, the defending champions, come into the 2020 Indian T20 League season with some handy recruits and a strong core squad. Their challenge, however, multiplies with the venue shifted out of India and their veteran pacer Lasith Malinga pulling out. Here, we look at the four overseas players Mumbai could use this season on a regular basis.

Overseas players: Kieran Pollard, Quinton de Kock, Mitchell McClenaghan, James Pattinson, Trent Boult, Sherfane Rutherford, Chris Lynn, Nathan Coulter-Nile

Kieron Pollard

The undisputed pick in the 11, West Indies all-rounder and skipper Kieron Pollard has been in outstanding form in the T20 circuit. He was stellar in the Caribbean Premier League and has found a new lease of life since becoming the leader in the West Indies limited-overs setup. A potential match for Andre Russell in the MI line-up alongside Hardik Pandya, Pollard could be a big player for them this season considering his form and the conditions.

Quinton de Kock

The South African opener is a terrific opening batsman in the shortest format of the game and is a much-needed aggressor alongside Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. De Kock is exemplary at the start of the innings and Mumbai will once again bank on him to provide them with quick starts this season. On the slow conditions in UAE, it is imperative that teams start off with a bang as run-scoring gets harder once the pitches become slow.

Trent Boult

While it will be tempting to throw in Chris Lynn in the top 3, a poor CPL should put to rest doubts regarding his place in the starting XI. There's no way Lynn can start considering his weakness against spin and Mumbai will have to make up for that with extra oomph in their pace attack. Trent Boult can swing the ball early and brings in variety in the form of left-arm pace and should be a certain starter in the line-up ahead of Mitchell McCleneghan who seems a bit past his prime.

Nathan Coulter-Nile

With no overseas spinners added and the Indian spinners not as strong, Mumbai have left themselves slightly short of options. But in Nathan Coulter-Nile, they have a hit-the-deck pacer capable of changing pace and bowling in the middle overs. He also lends batting capability down the order and should start in most games for Mumbai this season, ahead of the likes of Sherfane Rutherford and James Pattinson. Coulter-Nile will likely bat at 7 or 8 behind Pollard, Hardik and Krunal.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Punit Paranjpe

Four-time Indian T20 League title winners Mumbai have built a superb core squad over the years. They have some dynamic all-rounders and well-acclaimed established players in the squad but a few names flew under the radar in their outfit for the 2020 edition of the Indian T20 League as and when it happens.

We consider three such underappreciated players in the Rohit Sharma-led team.

Ishan Kishan

The wicket-keeper-batsman is not just a stable middle-order player but a classy striker of the ball, particularly against spinners. The southpaw is a wonderful strike rotator and is uber impressive with his strike rates and cameos in a line-up where there are more big-hitters and anchors.

Kishan was benched a lot last season but deserves to be in the scheme of things more given his ability to tonk the spinners at will.

Nathan Coulter-Nile

A new recruit at Mumbai, Nathan Coulter-Nile is an underrated T20 player whose record speaks for itself. In 120 T20 games, Coulter-Nile has 140 wickets at an average of 23.38 and an economy under right. His batting strike rate is in the mid-130s and he packs a punch as a lower order batsman who can hit it big.

The last time he played an Indian T20 League season was in 2017, when he finished with 15 wickets at an average of 15.2 and a strike rate of 11. He will be a valuable addition to the Mumbai side, especially with Lasith Malinga on the wane.

Mitchell McClenaghan

A consistent member in the Mumbai line-up for the last few years, New Zealand's Mitchell McClenaghan isn't a globally approved T20 superstar. Yet, the left-arm pacer is a superb powerplay bowler and a brilliant wicket-taker.

In four of the five seasons he has played, McClenaghan has a strike rate less than 20. He also has 14 or more wickets in each of these four seasons, underlining his capabilities as a wicket-taking option even if he leaks a few runs.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Prakash Singh

Four-time Indian T20 League winners and defending champions, Mumbai have a well-settled line-up that they have built over the years. Unsurprisingly, they had very few slots to fill in the auction in December, having already stocked up in the trading window and retained a large chunk of their players from the previous seasons. How will they line-up this season, though? Which overseas stars will they field? How many of the new buys will feature in their XI?

Full Squad: Rohit Sharma, Sherfane Rutherford, Suryakumar Yadav, Anmolpreet Singh, Chris Lynn, Saurabh Tiwary, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Mohsin Khan, Prince Balwant Rai Singh, Digvijay Deshmukh, Hardik Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Anukul Roy, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ishan Kishan, Quinton de Kock, Aditya Tare

Read | Rohit Sharma's Mumbai strong again

Probable XI

Mumbai are unlikely to fiddle with their core group of players that involves the likes of Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, the Pandya brothers and Jasprit Bumrah. With five out of 11 names ticked, they have a huge headache off their shoulders, but T20 games are often won by the last name you'd expect in the team sheet. 

The questions: 

• Chris Lynn or Quinton de Kock?
• Lasith Malinga or Nathan Coulter-Nile? 
• Trent Boult or Mitchell McCleneghan?

Read | Most wickets in Indian T20 League history

Three questions could decide Mumbai's starting XI this season. With Chris Lynn's addition, de Kock is in danger of missing out on a spot despite his recent exploits in the shortest format of the game. Lynn is a ferocious ball-striker and on the Wankhede surface, his big-hitting and ability to take on the short ball could help him ahead of de Kock.

Malinga is still a beast in T20s, but with age not on his side and his fitness waning, Mumbai might just be tempted to unleash their Rs 8 crore buy, Nathan Coulter-Nile. A big-hitter down the order and a pretty handy hit-the-deck bowler, the Australian fits snugly into the Mumbai way of playing T20 cricket.

Adding a left-arm seamer lends variation to the bowling attack and Mumbai have used Mitchell McCleneghan in plenty in the past. But like with Malinga, McCleneghan's stocks have fallen and his wicket-taking ability comes with a risk of conceding too many runs. As such, Trent Boult, a new-ball beast could be used ahead of his Kiwi teammate.

Read | Most runs in Indian T20 League history

Overseas slots filled: Chris Lynn, Kieron Pollard, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Trent Boult

With the overseas spots filled, who will Mumbai's players be to fill the remaining places? With de Kock out, Ishan Kishan is a must-have as the keeper. Suryakumar Yadav for his last two seasons and recent form is a certainty. Rahul Chahar is likely to be the mainstay spinner although Anukul Roy and Jayant Yadav will challenge him.

Probable XI: Chris Lynn, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Trent Boult, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Punit Paranjpe

ShThe Indian T20 League auction had some edge of the seat thrilling moments with franchises in a neck and neck race for some of the best cricketing talents in the world.

With some extraordinary buys at whopping prices (cue Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell), we take a look at how good the franchises were at the auction table and if the cash they dished out for the top buys is worth it. 

Pat Cummins - �?/strong>15.5 crore - Kolkata 

15.5 crores for a fast bowler might seem a tad too much especially when you have seven other pacers in the squad. But look closer and you see Kolkata's issues last season stemmed from not having a proper pace bowling spearhead to guide their young domestic pacers - the likes of Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna. Cummins on the Eden pitch could breathe fire and even at 15.5 crores is a worthy buy for the franchise.

Verdict: Excellent

Read | Indian T20 League plans radical new changes ahead of 2020 season 

Glenn Maxwell - �?/strong>10.75 crore - Punjab 

Glenn Maxwell was always expected to rake in big money at the auction after his recent exploits in T20 cricket. Despite the break he took owing to mental health issues, Maxwell remained hot property at the auction with franchises entering a bidding war for him. At 10.75 crore, Punjab seemed quite happy to acquire his services. But with an average of 22.9 in the history of the league, Maxwell has proved to be inconsistent and that kind of money could prove to be too much for the Australian.

Verdict: Poor

Chris Morris - �?/strong>10 crore - Bangalore

Bangalore came into the auction hoping to pick a death bowler and a lower-order finisher. In Chris Morris, they found both and the franchise was pretty keen to get him on board. Morris, who has been in good form in the Mzansi Super League, is a perfect fit in the Bangalore squad and will fulfill multiple roles in the side.

Verdict: Good 

Sheldon Cottrell - Rs 8.5 crore - Punjab

The West Indian left-arm seamer has been hitting headlines with his uncomfortable length and pace and can also generate swing upfront. A thinking bowler who can bowl variations and change his plans on the go, Cottrell is a valuable addition, particularly with the left-arm angle posing a massive threat. Punjab were keen on bringing him aboard and shelled out �?.5 crore from their 40-plus budget. Considering that, Cottrell is a good buy.

Verdict: Good 

Nathan Coulter-Nile - �?/strong>8 crore - Mumbai 

At first glance you wonder if Mumbai need Nathan Coulter-Nile. They have Quinton de Kock, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan as their foreign players already with a slew of others including the recently traded in Sherfane Rutherford also available.

But, with Malinga no longer as effective and Boult's T20 credentials questionable, the Aussie could fit in snugly in the line-up. Coulter-Nile is also a ferocious ball striker and can fulfill late-order hitting duties too. Overall, for Mumbai, the Aussie seamer is a pretty good buy although with his record at Bangalore, there is reason to wait before giving out a verdict.

Verdict: Average

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Saeed Khan