Liam Guthrie leaks 70 runs in a BBL game, joins Basil Thampi in an unwanted list

Brisbane Heat pacer Liam Guthrie finds himself on an unwanted list. This list consists of bowlers who have leaked the most number of runs in a T20 game. During the 23rd match of that Big Bash League 2021-22, the Melbourne Stars’ batters took him to the cleaners.

In his four overs, the 24-year-old went for 70 runs and picked two wickets. This is now the most expensive spell in BBL history. Previously, Ben Dwarshuis held the record for the most expensive spell in the history of the league. It was against the same opposition in the last season, and he had conceded 61 runs in his full quota of four overs.

However, with this spell, Guthrie now joins Indian pacer Basil Thampi in the dreaded list of bowlers to have conceded above 70 runs in a T20 game. While playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Kerala pacer had conceded 70 runs against the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League. Nevertheless, these two aren’t the only pacers who have gone for 70 or above in a T20.

Most runs conceded in a T20 innings while taking 2+ wickets:

70 – Liam Guthrie (Bris Heat) v Mel Stars, today
67 – Raymon Reifer (Barb Tridents) v St Lucia Stars, 2018
67 – Chris Wood (Hampshire) v Glamorgan, 2019#BBL2021

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 27, 2021

Melbourne Stars beat Brisbane Heat by 20 runs

The other bowlers who have given 70 or more runs in the shortest format of the game are Kasun Rajitha (0/75 vs Australia, 2019), Ben Sanderson (0/77 vs Yorkshire, 2017), and Sarmad Anwar (0/81 vs Lahore Lions, 2011). Thus, the Heat pacer’s expensive spell propelled the Maxwell-led side to a whopping 207 in the first innings of the game.

Despite being reduced to 16-3, half-centuries from Joe Clarke and Hilton Cartwright ensured that the Stars don’t face a collapse. The English keeper-batter in particular ensured that all the bad balls were punished. He went on to score a breathtaking 85 from just the 44 deliveries. In response, the Peirson-led side lost their first two wickets quite early as well.

Even the Lynnsanity couldn’t help them win the game. While Chris Lynn (57 off 34) and Ben Duckett (54 off 35) did try their best, the total seemed too far beyond their grasp. Thus, BRH ended up falling short of their target by 20 runs. With three wickets in his four overs, Brody Couch was the pick of the bowlers for the Stars. Hence, the Melbourne-based franchise is now fourth on the points table.