Twitter Reactions: The Joes shine in Heat's resounding victory over Sydney Thunder

Some robust middle-order batting from the Brisbane Heat guided them to a resounding victory over the Sydney Thunder in the 28th clash of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21. After the Thunder opted to set a target, multiple crucial innings from Alex Hales and skipper Callum Ferguson before a couple of cameos from the Daniel Sams and Ben Cutting in the lower order led them to a defendable total of 174 for 8.

A stroke-filled 77-run stand for the second wicket between Hales and Ferguson which came after they lost Usman Khwaja for a duck was the highlight for the Thunder. Khwaja failed to carry his momentum in this game as he top-edged a length ball from Xavier Bartlett to Mujeeb ur Rahman, who took a commendable catch fielding at short fine leg. Losing a wicket without even opening their account, the Thunder found two batsmen responsibly guiding them to a strong position.

A decent effort guides Sydney Thunder to 174

While Hales, who slammed three sixes and as many fours in his 26-ball 46, thrashed the bowlers playing his natural game, Ferguson batted sensibly and ensured to rotate the strike apart from managing an odd boundary. The glorious stand between the two was broken when Hales holed out to deep point off Mujeeb ur Rahman, who also dismissed Ferguson a couple of overs later.

When Mark Steketee got Oliver Davies caught by Jack Wildermuth for a duck and Sam Billings, who scored 22 from 16, fell short of his ground to be dismissed run out, the Thunder seemed a little lost. However, a couple of spectacular cameos rescued them from a collapse – Daniel Sams raced to 37 from just 18, hitting three fours and a couple of sixes, before picking short third man off Lewis Gregory, whereas Ben Cutting’s 24-run cameo from 15 balls guided them to a modest target of 174.

The “Joe” factor

Coming into the team after a long, injury-forced break, Chris Lynn looked in good touch as he slammed three fours and a couple of sixes in his knock of 30 from 16, and along with Max Bryant (15 from 11) added 37 for the first wicket. Bryant was looking quite in the zone too, however, a shorter delivery from Chris Green was deposited by him straight to Nathan McAndrew at midwicket, which brought his innings to an end.

Lynn continued for a brief while alongside Joe Denly before Tanveer Sangha got him caught at backward point to reduce Heat to 54 for 2. Joe Burns then entered in with some intentions as he launched an attack alongside the other Joe – who scored 50 from 36, including four boundaries and a couple of sixes – and sailed through the chase adding 90 in just 61 balls for the third wicket.

Their stand was broken by Sangha, who bagged three wickets when Denly came down the track and was deceived to be stumped by Sam Billings. McAndrew soon struck to dismiss Burns, who by then had scored 52 from 38, however, it was too late. Needing just 6 runs, Jimmy Peirson (15 from 11) guided them an easy win by 5 wickets and as many balls to spare.