BBL 5 Match 26 Review: Simmons, Burns set up a Heat win

Half-centuries from Lendl Simmons and Joe Burns have helped Brisbane Heat post a competitive total of 162/8 against the Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The total proved enough for the visitors as the home side fell short by 6 runs.The Sixers needed a win tonight to stay alive in BBL while the Heat’s season has been run and lost.

Jimmy Peirson’s stay at the crease was short but particularly sweet. The pocket dynamo blazed Jackson Bird’s first ball onto the roof of one of the SCG’s historic stands, some 114 metres away. He was out moments later attempting the same shot to give Bird a revenge, and when Chris Lynn (1) was well caught by Michael Lumb off Doug Bollinger a short time later, the Heat looked to be struggling.

The return of Burns (60 off 51) and the return to form of Simmons (54 off 30) gave the visitors’ innings some much-needed impetus. A strong final two overs from Sean Abbott (3-8) helped restrict the Heat at the death, as wickets fell regularly and the visitors were only able to scrap 16 from their final 18 deliveries.

Opener Michael Lumb made a solid 47 off 38 balls after Ed Cowan was dismissed for 4 early in the innings. Nick Larkin’s knock of 15 was ended by leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. Larkin was out stumped by Pierson who looked sharp behind the stumps. Sean Abbott was run out for 1 with the team score on 50.

Sydney’s chase was alive as long as Brad Haddin was there, but once he fell, there was a feeling of inevitability, even though Johan Botha came up with a few lusty blows. Haddin smashed 42 off 24 that included 5 fours and 2 sixes before a chance of pace from Ben Cutting deceived him. Botha struck a 4 and 6 to bring the equation down to 8 off 1 but Cutting held his nerves and bowled a full last delivery denying the right-hander any room to free his arms.

Brisbane Heat players would have felt relieved after the match. This is the first time in BBL history that they’ve beaten Sydney Sixers. And they’ve managed to do it despite dropping a number of catches.

Brief Scores:

Brisbane Heat:  162/8 in 20 overs (J Burns 60; S Abbott 3/8)

Sydney Sixers:  156/8 in 20 overs (M Lumb 47; M Swepson 2/26)

Man of the Match: Joe Burns (Brisbane Heat)