Neser dominance nets Heat top spot
BRISBANE Heat have secured top spot and a home Qualifier final in BBL|13 after a roaring win against Perth Scorchers last night. Michael Neser starred with bat, ball, and in the field as his side took out the 23-run victory in front of a raucous crowd at the Gabba.
Neser’s barnstorming 64* off just 30 balls saw the Heat rise from 5-91 to a formidable 6-191 as he blasted seven boundaries and three maximums – including three in the final over. He also got the job done with the ball, taking 2-33 (4) and gloving a terrific diving catch in the deep to remove Josh Inglis.
Having won the bat flip, Brisbane elected to bat first and make the most of service from returning internationals Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. The former managed 14 off eight deliveries, while the latter held firm for an important 45 (33).
English keeper Sam Billings also chimed in with 37 off 21, combining with Neser in an 80-run stand for the sixth wicket. Meanwhile, Ashton Agar was again the pick of the Scorchers’ bowlers, claiming 2-29 off his four overs as his side’s seamers were later dispatched to all parts of the Gabba.
In reply, Perth failed to build a partnership of over 50 runs despite each of the top four batters achieving starts. Inglis managed 28 (20) before Neser’s effort in the deep, leaving import Laurie Evans as the only hope remaining. He top-scored with 51 (29) but had too much ground to make up.
Brisbane’s pace attack turned up the heat late on, skittling much of the lower order with the final four wickets falling for 16 runs in the space of 21 deliveries. With the required run rate mounting, the Scorchers simply couldn’t keep up and the pressure resulted in wickets.
The complexion of Brisbane’s side will now change completely, much like in BBL|12, with key internationals set to depart. Khawaja, Labuschagne, and Matt Renshaw will join the Australian Test team, while Billings and Colin Munro are also expected to depart before finals.
A return leg against the Scorchers in Perth is all which faces the Heat to round out the regular season. Meanwhile, Perth has another home game against the Sixers to decide its fate within the top four. Two wins would secure second spot for the team searching for an unprecedented third-straight title.
SCORECARD
RESULT: Brisbane Heat won by 23 runs.
POTM: Michael Neser (Brisbane Heat)
BAT FLIP: Brisbane Heat won & elected to bat.
KEY PLAYERS
Brisbane Heat:
Michael Neser 64* (30), Marnus Labuschagne 45 (33), Sam Billings 37 (21)
Spencer Johnson 2-23 (4), Xavier Bartlett 2-29 (4), Paul Walter 2-30 (3)
Perth Scorchers:
Ashton Agar 2-29 (4), Jason Behrendorff 2-45 (4), Lance Morris 1-25 (3)
Laurie Evans 51 (29), Josh Inglis 28 (20), Sam Whiteman 16 (16)
Totals:
Heat – 6-191 (20)
Scorchers – 9-168 (20)
Bowler’s paradise sees Fire burn Meteors
SOME superb bowling paired with a star opening performance helped Queensland pick up a three-wicket win over the ACT. The Fire may have cut it fine when it come to their wickets lost tally, but they still reached the target of 153 in less than 21 overs. The fact that the Meteors found themselves at […]
Webb continues sublime form to exact revenge on Victoria
IT WAS another stunning display from South Australian batter Courtney Webb that was the match-winner, following up her century from Wednesday with an unbeaten 67. Coming in at first drop chasing 241 for the win, Webb’s knock was struck off 62 balls, taking her WNCL career total to 2000 runs. Her performance included eight sixes, […]
Strikers on the board thanks to unlikely heroes
ADELAIDE Strikers notched their first win of the Big Bash League (BBL) season after a pair of unlikely heroes stood up in either innings. The home side won by 15 runs at Adelaide Oval, successfully defending their 6-165 and consigning the Melbourne Stars to a 0-3 record. >> SCROLL to see the scorecard D’Arcy Short, […]
Riotous Renegades humble Hurricanes in Geelong
MELBOURNE Renegades have trounced the Hobart Hurricanes in a six-wicket victory at GMHBA Stadium, spearheaded by in-form import Tim Seifert. After his side skittled the ‘Canes for 74 on a bowler friendly pitch, the gloveman remained unbeaten on 37 (19) to help surpass the target in just nine overs. >> SCROLL to see the scorecard […]
Rain dampens Australia’s effort to pull ahead in Brisbane
A DRAW was played out over five days play in Brisbane, with rain marring Australia’s effort to pull ahead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The teams go into the sold-out first day of the Boxing Day test each with a game in hand after India took the first test in Perth, and Australia hit back in […]
Heat hammer Stars to kick off title defence
BRISBANE Heat have kicked off their Big Bash League (BBL) title defence with a cruisy eight-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars on Wednesday night. Keeper Jimmy Perison carried his bat to score an unbeaten 76 (56) as the visitors surpassed Melbourne’s 6-162 with 11 balls remaining at the MCG. >> SCROLL to see the scorecard […]
Hayward’s maiden century ensures Victoria’s unbeaten start continues
WITH both Victoria and South Australia heading into Wednesday’s WNCL fixture unbeaten, it was the Victorian women that remained so after a heroic effort with the bat from all-rounder Ella Hayward. In what was an up-and-down match, there were two tons that stood above the rest of the batting performances, that of Victoria’s Hayward (112 […]
Smashing Sams cameo stuns Strikers
A BRUTAL display of death batting has seen Daniel Sams strike the Sydney Thunder to a remarkable win over Adelaide. With his side needing 34 off the final two overs to chase 183, the allrounder took Lloyd Pope for 31 in the 19th, and hit the winning runs thereafter to leave the Manuka Oval crowd […]
NSW repeats history to break Tasmania again
NEW South Wales has made it two from two against Tasmania in the WNCL in the last week, most recently winning by 159 runs. NSW first made 5/288 from its 50 overs, before Tasmania could only muster 129 before being bowled out. The start to NSW’s innings was chaotic, blasting 10 runs off the first […]
