BBL 2017-18, Match 18, Review: Brisbane Heat break the winning streak of Scorchers in a one-sided encounter

Brisbane Heat defeated Perth Scorchers quite comfortably by 49 runs in a one-sided encounter at the iconic Gabba in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL). The heavy loss has also broken the four-match winning streak of the visiting side who are currently sitting pretty at the top of the points table. Heat, on the other hand, leaped to the second position after a crucial victory in their sixth game this season. However, they would like to continue in the same vein and improve their poor net run-rate in the upcoming matches as well.

Scorchers won the toss and opted to bowl first against the batting heavy Brisbane Heat side. They started off in grand fashion with a deadly opening combination of Chris Lynn and Brendon McCullum. The former was more brutal in comparison as he hit a couple of disdainful sixes on his way to 39 from 20 deliveries. His partner was also not far behind as he got going after Lynn’s dismissal. But they collapsed as they lost three wickets in successive overs to be reduced from 84/1 to 94/4.

But Ben Cutting and Joe Burns made amends and batted aggressively to bring their side well and truly back in the game. The former was in great touch as he smashed 46 off just 20 deliveries with five gigantic maximums. Even Burns contributed with a quick-fire 36 as the hosts posted a hefty total of 191 runs after their 20 overs. Ashton Agar was the most economical bowler as he conceded only 22 runs and also picked a wicket.

The chase that never threatened

The openers of Scorchers, David Willey and Michael Klinger, failed to get going against the spin of Yasir Shah who opened the bowling for Heat. The pressure of the asking rate kept piling on them as the wickets fell at regular intervals. It was the clever variations of Mark Steketee which further derailed their chase and were left reeling at 62/4. He was then joined in by Brendan Doggett who bowled beautifully and cleaned up the tail to scalp a five-wicket haul. Eventually, Scorchers were bowled out for 142 in 19 overs falling well short of the target by 49 runs.

Ashton Agar was the only batsman who looked up to the challenge and scored 31 off just 18 deliveries but to no avail. All the other batsmen struggled to even score with the strike-rate of 100 and crumbled under pressure. Heat were excellent on the day as their kept a lid on the scoring rate right from the word go and backed up the good job done by their batters. The win has surely spiced up the things in the points table as the other teams will also need to buck themselves up as the tournament is going deep now.

Brief Scores

Brisbane Heat 191/6 after 20 overs (B Cutting 46, C Lynn 39; D Willey 2/40)

Perth Scorchers 142 after 19 overs (A Agar 31; B Doggett 5/35, M Steketee 3/28)

Result: Brisbane Heat won by 49 runs

Man of the Match: Brendan Doggett

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