Australian selector Mark Waugh was one to take notice of Ross’ part in the match-winning 115-run partnership with Brad Hodge, implying that he could be a candidate for Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign in March.
“There’s probably going to be some players that emerge out of the ruck some players that you wouldn’t thought possible,” Waugh said in his Channel 10 Big Bash commentary role last night.
“Someone like Alex Ross for example he played beautifully in the Matador Cup and he hit 60 off 30 balls the other night…He’s probably the most improved player in Australia.
“There’s going to be three of our smokeys come out of the pack.”
Alex Ross swept his way to a crucial 65 off just 31 balls as the Strikers posted 5-187 from their 20 overs #BBL05 pic.twitter.com/dBfbE7d8FV
%E2%80%94 cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 18, 2015
The accolades follow not only Ross’ exciting half-century against the Stars, but also his brilliant form in the Matador BBQ’s One-Day Cup earlier this year.
The 23 year-old right-hander produced two match-winning knocks of 88* and 97* to steer the Redbacks to victory against the Bulls and Bushrangers, earning himself a reputation as a clutch performer as well as a talented strokemaker.
He was also denied of a well-deserved first-class century against Queensland just a few weeks later, after being left stranded on 92 not-out in their third Sheffield Shield match of the season.
CLUTCH: Alex Ross and Kane Richardson come up huge in Redbacks Matador thriller.
Strikers keeper-batsman Tim Ludeman was another to publicly predict a big performance from Rossy in BBL|05 when speaking to adelaidestrikers.com.au prior to the Stars game last week.
“Alex Ross has been in really good form, expect him to clear the pickets a few times I reckon,” he said.
Hopefully for the Strikers there’s a few more sparkling knocks left in him over the course of the Big Bash before he presses his case for higher honours.