BBL 2016-17, Match 28 Review: Swepson, Burns power Brisbane Heat to comprehensive victory

In a battle between two heavyweights of the competition, Brisbane Heat defeated the Melbourne Stars quite comprehensively by 7 wickets at the MCG to become the 1st team in the competition to qualify for the Semi-finals. The Heat rode on an impressive bowling performance by leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson yet again to restrict the hosts to under 140 in their allotted 20 overs. The target wasn’t going to pose any threat to the visitors as they chased down the target with 11 balls to spare. Alex Ross and Joe Burns shared an unbeaten 74 runs for the 5th wicket to ensure the visitors reached the target without further hiccups.

Melbourne Stars captain David Hussey won the toss and opted to bat. It was a shoddy start by the hosts as they lost two crucial wickets in the very first over of the match which reduced them ½ within the first two deliveries of the match. After bowling a wide, Mark Steketee came back strongly and removed in-form opener Rob Quiney and former English captain Kevin Pietersen in successive deliveries. Quiney fell to a length ball way outside the off stump which took a thick inside edge and hit the timbers while Pietersen failed to put bat on a straight delivery and was adjudged lbw by the onfield umpire.

Seb Gotch came out in the middle to accompany Luke Wright and take the hosts to a position of safety. The first boundary of the innings was struck by Gotch in the 5th over of the bowling of Jack Wildermuth. With the first boundary came the 2nd too in a matter of a couple of deliveries. Wright to got going and played some delightful shots. After sharing an impressive stand for the 4th wicket Gotch was dismissed by Mitchell Swepson with a beautiful wrong un. He misread the delivery altogether which breached his defence and crashed onto the stumps.

Swepson added to the hosts’ misery by dismissing Marcus Stoinis in the very next delivery, It was a short of length delivery and Stoinis wanted to ease it through the covers. Instead, it got a bit low and went on to hit the stumps. The hosts were in serious trouble now after being reduced to 56/4. Despite the fall of wickets at regular intervals, Luke Wright remained calm and played the sheet anchor’s role. David Hussey scored 28 towards the fag end of the innings but failed to provide any impetus.

The hosts eventually ended their allotted 20 overs at the score of 138/7. Luke Wright remained unbeaten on 60 of 55 balls, an innings constructed with 3 fours and 2 sixes.

Chasing a modest 139 to win, the visitors didn’t get off to the best of starts. After playing a crunching cover drive which fetched a boundary, Jimmy Pearson fell in the opening delivery of the 3rd over of the bowling of Scott Boland. Nathan Reardon who came in at the fall of Pearson’s wicket couldn’t last long either as the visitors were reduced to 26/2 in the 4th over.

Despite the fall of two quick wickets, Sam Heazlett was in no mood to let go the advantage. He struck a gigantic six in the 3rd over to set things rolling for him. The 6th over of the innings bowled by Marcus Stoinis proved to be an expensive one as far as the hosts were concerned. He was smashed for a couple of fours and a six in that over which provided the Brisbane Heat with the much-needed Launchpad.

Sam Heazlett was eventually dismissed in the 9th over as he was picked up by the long-on fielder as he attempted a six over his head. Alex Ross and Joe Burns were there in the middle and despite the required rate being under manageable limits, it was a difficult prospect for the two naturally aggressive batsmen to curb their natural instincts. They did a commendable job as both remained unbeaten to ensure the visitors reached the target with 11 balls to spare.

They batted with authority and never allowed the opposition bowlers to get ahead of the game. Joe Burns struck 3 monstrous sixes during his unbeaten knock of 42, 2 of which came in the penultimate over of the match. Alex Ross too played a good hand of 46 of 40 balls which contained 4 hits to the fence. Courtesy their comprehensive victory, the Brisbane Heat again goes to the top of the ladder in the points table and sits pretty with 5 wins to their name.

Watch: Ben Cutting bowls too wide off Luke Wright

Brief Scores

Melbourne Stars 138/7 in 20 overs (Luke Wright 60*, Mitchell Swepson 2/14)

Brisbane Heat 139/3 in 18.1 overs (Alex Ross 46*, Joe Burns 42*, Evan Gulbis 1/8)

Brisbane Heat won by 7 wickets (with 11 balls remaining)