BBL 5 Match 23 Review: Strikers deliver a knockout punch to the Heat

A must-win match for Brisbane Heat against the second-placed Adelaide Strikers turned out to be a disappointment for a massive crowd at the Gabba. A half-century from Jimmy Peirson helped the home team to 6-175 which didn’t prove enough as the half-centuries from the top 3 Strikers took their team to the top of the BBL table.

Peirson picked up the pace for his team after captain Chris Lynn departed for a quick-fire 34. He cleared the ropes on 3 occasions during his 51 off 36 balls. Skipper Lynn, who hit five fours and a six in his 25-ball stay, again threatened to light up the Gabba, but the introduction of Adil Rashid brought about his downfall. The right-hander took on the Englishman only to pick out the man at deep midwicket.

It was a brilliant spell of 2-17 by Rashid who continues to prove one of the best buys of this season’s BBL. Earlier, West Indian opener Lendl Simmons became the first player to register three ducks in one BBL season as Michael Neser trapped him lbw, though replays suggested the ball was slipping down the leg side. Sam Heazlett was run out for 9 after hitting one straight driven six that just cleared a spectacular dive from Ben Laughlin on the boundary.

Nathan Reardon and Ben Cutting came together to help the Heat to a strong total with a brilliant 40-run stand from four overs. Reardon was impressive in making an unbeaten 40 and found support late in James Hopes, who found the ropes from the first 3 balls he faced.

Mahela Jayawardene looked in sublime touch playing some delightful strokes. Andrew Fekete was hammered for a four and 2 sixes in the second over of the match as the former Sri Lankan great turned on the heat on Heat. The score at the end of the power-play was 61 with Mahela on 41 off 19. He was finally dismissed for 53 off 30 after experiencing a hamstring niggle. He was out trying to reverse sweep a delivery from Samuel Badree but missed it and the umpire has no hesitation in raising the finger.

With 59 needed from 36, Travis Head did what he does best. Fekete continued his miserable day as Head smacked him for 3 sixes and in the 15th over which also saw Tim Ludeman bring up his first BBL fifty of this season. Head made the most of a life he got when he was on 4.  A top-edged slog sweep off Badree nearly landed in the hands of the point fielder who made a valiant effort but couldn’t quite hold on. Ludeman’s unbeaten 57 and skipper Brad Hodge’s unbeaten 14 off 8 took their team home with 8 balls to spare but it was Head’s 25-ball 50 that dented the home side’s hopes of staying alive in the competition.

Brief Scores:

Brisbane Heat: 175/6 in 20 overs (J Peirson 51; A Rashid 2/17)

Adelaide Strikers: 179/2 18.4 overs (T Ludeman 57*; S Badree 1/25)