It may only be early in the Big Bash season, but Wednesday’s clash looms as a vital match for the Brisbane Heat and the Sydney Thunder. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:05pm (AEDT).
The Heat and Thunder have had identical starts to kick-off BBL07. After a winning start to their respective campaigns, the two teams were brought back down to earth with a loss in their second match.
Poor batting performances were at the crux of the losses, with the Heat limping to 8/132 against the Renegades, while the Thunder were bundled out for 110 chasing 163 against the Strikers.
Brisbane are likely to have their batting line-up bolstered, however, with explosive star Chris Lynn expected to play his first match of the tournament.
Arguably the most damaging batsman in the competition, Lynn has been plagued by injuries in recent times, with hamstring and shoulder ailments preventing him for playing in the first two matches.
Despite his stop-start career, Lynn has proved near unstoppable when healthy – still ranking among the top five run scorers in last year’s Big Bash even though he only played five games.
Former Australian opener Joe Burns is also a chance to return to the line-up, after missing the Heat’s match against the Renegades due to a groin strain.
The Thunder meanwhile will be hoping international import Jos Butler will find some form, after the big hitting Englishman failed to fire in the first two matches.
Sydney’s other international import Mitchell McClenaghan, has fared far better, picking up four wickets to open his Big Bash campaign.
Along with spinners Fawad Ahmed and Arjun Nair, the Thunder boast a varied bowling attack which could trouble the Heat on the Gabba deck.
Prediction
This should be a close contest with the Thunder possessing a bowling attack that might pose issues for the Heat’s big hitters on the pacey Gabba wicket.
Shane Watson and Butler offer plenty of international experience and quality at the top of the order and will be hard to stop if they get going.
However, with the likely returns of Lynn and Burns bolstering the batting and Pakistan import Shadab Khan adapting well to Australian conditions, the Heat’s talent looks like it will be too much for the Thunder.
Gordon Smith
Guest
Ross might be the most underrated batsman in the comp at the moment. Great game to watch.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's all from me tonight, hope you enjoyed tonight's game! Be sure to stay tuned to the Roar for all your cricket news and highlights.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The Heat have won a rain interrupted thriller by six wickets with only one ball left! Joe Burns and Jimmy Pierson anchored the Heat innings with 45 and 43 respectively, whilst some quick fire innings from Chris Lynn and Alex Ross just got Brisbane home against a plucky Sydney Thunder. Spare a thought for Thunder skipper Shane Watson who was brilliant with the ball and the bat today - perhaps he or Chris Green should've bowled the last over of the match rather than Fekete. Brisbane Heat 4/153 after 16.5 chasing 151 Burns 45 Ross 25
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR The Heat win!! Fekete bowls a waist high full toss which Ross flicks to deep backward square leg. Blizzard would've probably caught this comfortably had he stayed put, but instead he charges in and can only get one hand on it ,as the ball is squeezes through his hand to reach the boundary. What a game
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The Heat are able to scramble a single after Burns works the ball to square leg. 2 of 2 with Ross on strike.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Burns tries to finish the game with one strike but misses the slower ball. 3 of 3.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
SIX That is huge from Burns! A nothing ball from Fekete is smacked over deep square leg for six. Just 3 from required now! Brisbane Heat 4/148 after 16.2 chasing 151 Burns 44 Ross 21
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Watson gives the ball to Fekete for the last over.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
SIX Ross delivers for the Heat on the last ball of the over, slamming a half volley straight down the ground for the six! 9 required from the last over. Brisbane Heat 4/141 after 16.0 chasing 151 Burns 37 Ross 21
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Top bowling from McClenaghan, as Burns can only squirt the wide Yorker through extra cover for a single. 15 of 7 Brisbane Heat 4/135 after 15.5 chasing 151 Burns 37 Ross 15
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Ross top edges a well aimed short ball from McClenaghan but it falls safely between three fielder. 17 of 9.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Oh Ross should've done more with that low full toss from the Kiwi. Instead he just bunts it back to the bowler. 19 of 10 Brisbane Heat 4/132 after 15.2 chasing 151 Burns 37 Ross 12
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
WIDE McClenaghan starts his final over with a wide. 20 of 12. Might have been a harsh call there, Burns was backing away
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
SIX Ross delivers a badly needed maximum for the Heat, skipping down the track and thumping the ball over cow corner. 21 of 12 now. Brisbane Heat 4/130 after 15.0 chasing 151 Burns 36 Ross 12
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Great start from Ahmed, just tour runs from four deliveries. 28 of 14 Brisbane Heat 4/123 after 14.4 chasing 151 Burns 35 Ross 6
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Fawad Ahmed comes back into the attack for his last over.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Just seven runs and a wicket from a terrific third over by McClenaghan. 32 required of 18. Brisbane Heat 4/119 after 14.0 chasing 151 Burns 33 Ross 5
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Alex Ross is in. The equation is 38 of 21, getting tough for the Heat now.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT McClenaghan comes back into the attack and he gets the breakthrough straight away. A low full toss is pushed wide by the Kiwi paceman and all Cutting can do is sky the ball straight to a delighted Shane Watson at cover. Cutting c Watson b McClenaghan 3 (5)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Tidy over from Nair, with only the 7 conceded from it. 39 from 24 Brisbane Heat 3/112 after 13.0 chasing 151 Burns 30 Cutting 3