5 cricketers who proved age is no barrier in the Big Bash League

T20 cricket in the modern world is seen as a form of cricket which demands fearlessness, innovation and reflexive cricket from each and every player. It evokes a sense of high adrenaline rush on every player once they step on the field to ply their trade. The Big Bash League is one such T20 tournament held in Australia, where the temperament of every player is tested at the highest level.All these facts can be easily attributed to the younger crop of players who go out on the turf to showcase their skill. Having said all this, one cannot just as easily put aside the presence of the wise men on the field who possess buckets of experience and youth in their armoury. The presence of the wise men aged in their 30’s and 40’s are often felt because they are capable of giving any opposition a run for their money.On some occasions, these seasoned players make the headlines, raking up giant scores or picking up a string of wickets to lead their team to victory, and in the process fine-tune the younger sect of players who are trying to make a big mark on the international circuit. Here’s a look at 5 such players, who have proven age is no barrier to make a serious mark in the history books of the high adrenaline-inducing Big Bash League tournament.

#5 Brett Lee

Brett Lee exults after claiming a wicket in the final over of BBL 4

Brett Lee, the express fast bowler from Australia ended his Big Bash career with the Sydney Sixers in January 2015, after bowling the last over in the lost final of the BIg Bash League season 4. After retiring from international cricket in 2012, Lee became a specialist T20 bowler.

Aged 38 and 10 months at the time of his retirement from Big Bash League, Lee bowled his heart out in the thrilling final over of BBL season 4 while trying to defend 8 runs for a win, only to concede a run of the last ball after skipper Henriques failed to collect the ball and affect a run-out.

However, Brett Lee ended the season and his career on a high, emerging as the highest wicket taker for the Sixers with nine wickets at an average of 22.22 and economy of 7.14.

Brett Lee, who also happens to be the brother of legendary Australian hard-hitting batsman Shane Lee, will remain as one of the fastest bowlers the world has grown to witness.

#4 Jacques Kallis

Kallis, still an important all-rounder for any team at 40.

Even at the age of 40 years and 3 months, Jacques Kallis has proven to one and all that he is still a great player with both bat and ball. Roped in by the Syndney Thunder to ply his trade for them in the Big Bash League 2014, he has been consistently opening the batting and scoring runs at will for the men in green.

Playing the mentor role for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, Kallis has earned himself the ‘Best all-ronder’ tag on several occasions. His stint with the bat has often led his team to victory often. During BBL 2014, Kallis stroked his way to a blistering 97 along with Michael Hussey, to send a message to one and all that he still had some cricket left in him.

In the BBL 2015-2016, during a recent game Kallis hurt his back while he was running in between the wickets and did not take further part in the match against the Brisbane Heat. With the withdrawal, skipper Mike Hussey lost a key member of the squad. With all this in mind, it is pretty clear that Kallis has surely not hung up his boots yet.

#3 Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey (left) along with his younger brother, David Hussey

Aged 40 years and 8 months, Michael Hussey is still at the top of his game doing what he does best, marauding the opposition with his tremendous judgement of the ball and his repetoire of strokes under his belt. Mike Hussey is also known as ‘Mr.Cricket’ and is the elder brother of David Hussey.

He was first roped in by the Perth Scorchers in 2011 where he had a reasonable outing, and two years later shifted to the Sydney Thunder where he leads the side for the BBL 2015/16. One of the most elegant left-handed batsman, he has performed stuuningly well in the current season, raking up runs at his own will, by scoring 3 half-centuries this Big Bash League season, until he was sidelined by injury.

He has also been asked to mentor the Australian cricket team for the upcoming ICC T20 world cup in India starting in the month of March 2016.

#2 Brad Hodge

Bradley Hodge has done exceedingly well, captaining his team fantastically.

Bradley John Hodge, a powerful right hand batsman from Australia is one of the representatives of the older generation playing for a team in the Big Bash League 2015/16. Aged 41, Hodge got his first taste of Big Bash League cricket when he was picked by the Melbourne Renegades in the year 2011, following which he changed to Melbourne Stars in 2012 and Adelaide Strikers in 2014.

For the Big Bash League 2015/16, Brad Hodge was unanimously chosen as the skipper for the Strikers squad after Botha’s withdrawal from the team. Having the most amount of experience amongst all the players in the team, Hodge also compliments his role of skipper by also taking up the duties of an assistant coach. He has lead his team stunningly well, with the Adelaide Strikers perched at the top of the points table.

#1 Brad Hogg

Brad Hogg (left), Big Bash League 2015’s best bowler

Brad Hogg is labelled as one of the best left-arm wrist spinner the world has ever witnessed. Aged 44, he shows no signs of being tired and is known to run and dive around in the field just like any other youngster in the team. Smiling as always, he is also known for his trademark ‘tongue-out’ style when he runs into bowl.

At the age of 43, Hogg led Perth Scorchers to an enthralling victory in the Big Bash League final and finished the BBL 5 with a remarkable economy over just over 6, which earned him a call-up to the Australian side for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2014.

On 28 April 2015, he became the oldest player ever to feature in an IPL match when he played against the Chennai Super Kings at the age of 44 years and 81 days. He is currently representing the Perth Scorchers for BBL 2015/16.