BBL 2020-21: Ben Laughlin pulls off a blinder to dismiss Michael Neser at the Gabba

Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers were involved in a thrilling Eliminator of the 2020-21 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) at The Gabba in Brisbane. The former outshined the latter by 6 wickets to make a place for themselves in the knockout game against Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval in Canberra on January 31, Sunday.

The action-packed game witnessed some spectacular moments as the players of both teams gave it their all to keep their hopes of winning the Big Bash League title alive. One such moment came during the 18th over of the first innings as Ben Laughlin completed a stunning catch off Marnus Labuschagne to send Michael Neser back to the pavilion.

Batting first, Adelaide Strikers were reeling at a score of 110 with Neser playing his first ball, when he tried to attempt the slog-sweep off the full toss. Laughlin, who was fielding on long-on, ran to his right and executed a one-handed screamer to account for the dismissal of Michael Neser of Adelaide Strikers. This stunning catch by Laughlin left the viewers spellbound and his efforts were acknowledged by many.

Here’s the video:

INCREDIBLE BEN LAUGHLIN! @BKTtires | #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/NfDjV0wlds

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 29, 2021

Marnus Labuschagne shines with the ball for Brisbane Heat in BBL

As far as the match is concerned, the toss went in the favor of Adelaide Strikers captain Travis Head and he elected to bat first. However, this move didn’t reap good results for the team as Marnus Labuschagne rattled the Strikers’ feeble batting line-up. He took three wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 4.3 while Mitchell Swepson picked two wickets. Jake Weatherald was the highest run-getter for Adelaide Strikers with a knock of 32 runs.

As a result, Adelaide were restricted to a paltry total of 130 for 7 within 20 overs. In reply, Brisbane easily completed the target in 18.5 overs as opening batsman Joe Denly scored 41 runs while wicketkeeper-batsman Jimmy Pierson added 47 runs to the scoreboard.

For Strikers, Michael Neser, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle, and Danny Briggs picked one wicket each as the opposition team Brisbane Heat registered victory by 6 wickets.