Heat rises to second BBL title
BRISBANE Heat have claimed their second Big Bash League (BBL) title after thrashing the Sydney Sixers in last night’s final at the SCG. Less than a week removed from their Qualifier loss to the Sixers, the Heat turned things around emphatically to take home a 54-run win in front of 43,153 fans.
Heat speedster Spencer Johnson was named Player of the Match for his spell of 4-26, helping restrict a Sixers chase which never really got going. Brisbane was sent in to bat and posted a respectable 8-166, spearheaded by opener Josh Brown (53 off 38) and Test squad member Matt Renshaw (40 off 22).
Sean Abbott (4-32) was the pick of the Sixers’ bowlers and struck in the very first over, removing Jimmy Peirson for just four. That brought Brown and Nathan McSweeney (33 off 32) together for an 85-run second wicket partnership, before Renshaw and Max Bryant (29 off 19) posted a further 57 runs.
Sydney showcased its championship credentials at the death, sparking a collapse of 5-20 as Abbott claimed three wickets in the 19th over. Retiring stalwart Steve O’Keefe (1-26) also got involved earlier in the innings, trapping Brown in front to finish his BBL career with 99 wickets.
In response, the Sixers stuttered through their 17.3 overs, struggling to keep up with the required rate. All bar one of the six Heat bowlers nabbed a wicket, with the exception being Matt Kuhnemann who proved wonderfully economical for his four-over spell of 0-16.
Michael Neser, who later relayed a remarkable catch on the boundary, removed the dangerous Daniel Hughes three balls into the innings to set a strangling tone. As the Sixers grew more desperate, the likes of Johnson, Mitch Swepson (2-19), and Xavier Bartlett (2-12) took advantage.
It was the Sixers’ first loss in a decider at the SCG, and their fourth loss in seven BBL finals. Meanwhile, the Heat went one better than last season to take out their second championship, having topped the BBL|13 table with a 7-1 home-and-away record.
SCORECARD
RESULT: Brisbane Heat won by 54 runs.
POTM: Spencer Johnson (Brisbane Heat)
BAT FLIP: Sydney Sixers won & elected to bowl.
KEY PLAYERS
Brisbane Heat:
Josh Brown 53 (38), Matthew Renshaw 40 (22), Nathan McSweeney 33 (32)
Spencer Johnson 4-26 (4), Xavier Bartlett 2-12 (1.3), Mitch Swepson 2-19 (3)
Sydney Sixers:
Sean Abbott 4-32 (4), Stephen O’Keefe 1-26 (4), Ben Dwarshuis 1-38 (4)
Moises Henriques 25 (27), Josh Philippe 23 (22), Jack Edwards 16 (10)
INNINGS BREAKDOWN
Power Play (1-4):
Heat – 1-16
Sixers – 2-34
Halfway (10):
Heat – 1-81
Sixers – 4-60
Power Surge:
Heat (17-18) – 0-31
Sixers (12-13) – 2-11
Totals:
Heat – 8-166 (20)
Sixers – 10-112 (17.3)
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