The Big Bash League action continues with a huge clash between the Sydney Thunder and the Brisbane Heat at Spotless Stadium. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:10pm (AEDT).
The Thunder took out the title in the 2015-16 (BBL05) competition, but have failed to fire in their first two hitouts this time around, losing to the Sydney Sixers in the opening match, before going down to the Melbourne Renegades in their most recent encounter.
Another loss will see the Ben Rohrer-led side firmly entrenched at the bottom of the Big Bash ladder and facing an uphill battle to defend their crown.
They face a Brisbane outfit that came away with a win against the Adelaide Strikers on December 21, in what was arguably the best game of the tournament so far.
On that night, Alex Ross smashed 64 runs off just 36 balls, while former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum compiled a rapid-fire 42. Ben Cutting and West Indian import Samuel Badree then bowled well at the death to steer the Heat home.
Brisbane have not made the semi-finals since they took out the tournament in 2012-13, but should also be well served by Chris Lynn, who led the competition for runs scored last year.
Key players for the Thunder include their imports, Andre Russell and Eoin Morgan, as well as tearaway quick Pat Cummins. Russell and Morgan both had disappointing games in the Thunder’s 49-run loss to the Renegades just prior to Christmas, while Cummins was the pick of the bowling attack.
The most recent encounter between the two sides was at the Gabba in BBL05, when Lynn set up a win for the Heat, smashing 75 runs off 32 balls in the six-wicket win.
The two sides last met in Sydney during BBL04 when the Thunder prevailed, compiling a whopping 1-208 at ANZ Stadium.
Prediction
With Daniel Vettori at the helm of the Heat, the Queensland outfit looked to be the real deal in their sole hitout so far. While we should not discount last year’s champions, the Thunder have looked sloppy in their two clashes to date.
Unless Pat Cummins can tear through the attack or Andre Russell produces something special, Brisbane will make it two from two.
Alan S
Guest
smells of match fixing
anon
Roar Pro
Another great match in what is now the highlight of the cricketing summer. We've had the Boxing Day test now. Is there anything else to look forward to from the national team? A Sydney test that might be a dead rubber, some meaningless one dayers and some T20 internationals that are at the end of the summer and treated like an afterthought rather than at centre stage as they deserve to be.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Russell is a bit short on mobility in his leg and they were trying to keep him out of the action I think.
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
You might be right. Russell on the boundary?? Watson.. The keeper had a tough chance but gee!
Brissie Boy
Guest
Ah Watto... still a Queenslander at heart. ;)
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
Unbelievable. What a sitter he dropped. Was all at sea with the bat as well. 0(6).
Paul D
Roar Guru
I think a lot of the skills are really quite ordinary. Symonds spent a fair bit of his session behind the mike pointing out ordinary efforts in the field. Fair way to go in terms of standards with the BBL, it's still straddling the divide between hit and giggle and serious competition in some of the efforts and approaches
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
So that concludes one of the better games of the Big Bash so far. Chris Lynn was the difference in the end with 85* off 48 including the winning runs. Last season's leading run scorer hit 10 boundaries and three sixes. Poor fielding cost the Thunder at the end. Shane Watson dropped an absolute sitter in the last over off the batting of Lynn. Had the skipper held on to that it may have been a different story but full kudos to Lynn. Earlier, the Heat bowlers stifled to Thunder batting lineup with some crafty bowling and changes of pace. No player really got going except for Eoin Morgan, who made a half century. Chris Green smashed 22 off six balls, including three sixes at the end of the Thunder innings. The Heat crashed in their chase and at one stage were 6/63. As the run rate edged up towards 13 an over, Chris Lynn kept his composure and went after the bowlers at the right time. The three wicket win means the Heat are unbeaten after two matches, while the Thunder are languishing with three losses from as many games. Tomorrow night's game sees the Melbourne Renegades play host to the Perth Scorchers. See you then.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Was that deadset fixed? Fielding was completely incompetent
brains of a bimbo (atgm)
Guest
Watson brilliant as usual.
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
19.4- FOUR!!! And that's the ball game. What a run chase. He had some luck did Lynn but what an effort, steering his side home to a thrilling win. The Heat make it two from two and the Thunder in strife, no wins from three.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I think he's lost that in the lights or something to be fair
XI
Roar Guru
What the hell?! Are the Thunder trying to fix this match?
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
19.3- single we have a thriller!! 2 OFF 3
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
19.2- Russell to Lynn... could this be it? DROPPED!!! Watson with an absolute howler!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!! 3 OFF 4
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
Russell, who looked injured, to bowl the final over. Steketee on strike, he has 10 off 8 19.1- Single 4 OFF 5
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
18.6- Single- Interesting as the Heat take the single meaning that Lynn will not be on strike 5 NEEDED OFF 6
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
18.5- Single 6 off 7
Adam Daniel
Roar Pro
18.4- FOUR Top edge- Boundary again for Lynn. Heat look home... 7 needed OFF 8
XI
Roar Guru
The fielding in the BBL really hasn't been good enough this season.