Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat, BBL08, video, updates

January 8, 2019 John Cricket 0

Rain has ruined what was shaping as a mouth-watering clash as the Brisbane Heat ran away with the win over the Sydney Thunder with a 15 run win according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

The “Bash Brothers” — Chris Lynn and Brendan McCullum — were in fine form, with McCullum hitting his straps in a 35-ball 56, including four sixes — before this innings, he had only scored 30 runs in four innings with no sixes.

Chris Lynn also unleashed with 54 from 30 balls as the pair shared a 34 ball, 65 run stand.

McCullum said it was nice to get into the runs.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 08: Brendon McCullum of the Heat bats during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Brisbane Heat at Spotless Stadium on January 8, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

“I’ve been waiting for it all season as well. You’ve just got to get up off the canvas. It’s nice to get a score when we’ve needed it,” McCullum said.

“It’s so much fun batting together (with Lynn).”

The Heat were cruising towards a 200+ score but in a shocking twist, the Thunder stuck with six wickets for 11 in a 20-ball span to restrict Brisbane to a score of 8/186.

Jono Cook changed the match for the Thunder with 3/27, including two wickets with his last two balls, meaning he’s on a hat-trick for the Thunder’s next game.

Jono Cook changed the match with the ball for the Thunder.

Jono Cook changed the match with the ball for the Thunder.Source:Getty Images

Fawad Ahmed also went for 35 from his first three balls, but nabbed two wickets in his last over with Matthew Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne both going for second ball ducks.

But the rain which had started midway through the Heat’s innings picked up early in the Thunder’s innings.

But with five overs bowled, it was enough to constitute a match with the Thunder 2/34, well short of the 49 needed for the Duckworth-Lewis par score.

It was a tough start for the Thunder, losing Jos Buttler for five and Callum Ferguson for 16 off 12 balls.

Shane Watson also smashed a huge six with the last ball before the rain delay.

Mark Waugh said if the Heat top order keep teeing off, it could be very dangerous for the rest of the competition.

For the Thunder, it was a sad end to the import stints of the BBL’s leading run scorer Buttler and English captain Joe Root, both who will leave on England duty.

The win sees the Heat move to two wins and three losses for the season, within striking distance of the four teams on six points, while the Thunder dip to three wins, four losses.

Watch every BBL match live or on demand on Kayo Sports, with prices starting from $25 per month. It’s currently available on Apple and Telstra TV, for Apple and Google Android smartphones, on web browsers and via Google Chromecast Ultra devices. Click here to trial it free for 14 days.

‘Big hit’ clears the stadium

Shane Watson has unleashed a monster blow but it may have been too little too late for the Thunder skipper.

The shot takes the score to 2/34 for the Thunder — well behind the DLS par score of 49.

This is the state of play with it not looking too good about getting back out there.

“It’s not ideal,” Heat captain Chris Lynn said. “We’re here to play cricket.”

Ferguson hits out

Callum Ferguson has smoked a ball right off the middle of the bat — straight to Max Bryant.

With the weather setting in, the Thunder are well behind the Duckworth-Lewis rate as the Sydney-sider are struggling to keep up with the required rate.

Big wicket floors Thunder

James Pattinson has already put his hand up for the Ashes, taking down the BBL’s leading run scorer Jos Buttler.

It’s the last time Buttler will bat for the Thunder before he and Joe Root depart to join England.

And chasing 187, it’s not an idea start for the home side.

With Buttler bound to be in England’s Ashes side, it could be a good way for the 17-Test veteran Pattinson to remind selectors he’s fit and firing.

Lynn gone for 54

Chris Lynn has gone berserk with a huge 54 from 30 balls but his innings came to an end, chipping into the outfield.

Jono Cook struck with the wicket and “has been the best of the bowlers” according to the commentators.

Next ball, Cook took Cutting LBW and will be on a hat-trick for the next game the Thunder play, finishing at 3/27.

Fawad Ahmed, who had been thrashed by the Bash Brothers with 35 runs off his first three overs, then struck with Matthew Renshaw for a second ball duck before Marnus Labuschagne chipped a wicket to the edge of the circle, losing 4/1.

James Pattinson was then LBW, with the Heat losing 5/2 off 12 balls.

“Incredible, unbelievable isn’t it,” Ferguson said.

Brendan McCullum said the side needed to buckle down as they were going closer to being bowled out at seven down.

“I just think we need to respect the conditions,” McCullum said.

After his breakthrough performance of BBL08, Brendan McCullum said it had been a long time coming.

“I’ve been waiting for it all season as well. You’ve just got to get up off the canvas. It’s nice to get a score when we’ve needed it.

“It’s so much fun batting together (with Lynn).”

The eighth wicket fell at the 6/11 with Michael Vaughan saying it was “one hell of a collapse”.

Bash Brothers broken up

Brendan McCullum has given the Brisbane Heat the perfect platform with a stunning 56 off 35 balls.

Chris Lynn and McCullum combined for a 65-run partnership in 34-balls.

But McCullum tried to be too cute, hitting the ball to Fawad Ahmed on the edge of the circle for the second wicket.

At 2/141 in the 14th over, the Heat are in a great position with Chris Lynn on 43 off 24 balls.

Fox Cricket Mark Howard said “this is what the Big Bash has been asking for.”

McCullum’s big 50

Brendan McCullum’s status as a Bash Brother may be reinstated after finally breaking through with his first two sixes of BBL 08.

The New Zealand superstar took quite a while to get started in BBL 2018/19.

So far this season, he’d hit 4, 4, 8 and 14.

But he’s finally found his rhythm.

The superstar has crushed three sixes in the first seven overs, having not hit one so far in BBL 08.

The biggest shock it took him so long to get going.

Last season he crunched six sixes but his first season saw 19, second only to Chris Lynn.

He’s putting the Thunder to the sword with 51 off 29 balls, bringing up his 50 with a six.

Jono Cook finally ended the opening partnership with Max Bryant gone for 36 off 23 balls as Chris Lynn joins McCullum at 1/76.

Watson’s flip hat-trick

Shane Watson has won the bat flip and sent the Brisbane Heat into bat.

Labuschagne wants Test spot

Marnus Labuschagne wants to make the most important position in Australia’s top six his own, declaring he finds it easier batting higher up the order.

Labuschagne, who scored 38 at the SCG after being recalled for the fourth Test against India, is expected to be retained in Australia’s squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

His shock inclusion at No. 3 in Sydney reflects how highly coach Justin Langer and selectors rate the 24-year-old.

Labuschagne’s first-class batting averaging of 33.17 was the lowest for a player selected to bat at No. 3 in Australia’s Test side since Kim Hughes in 1979.

First drop has previously been the domain of Don Bradman, Neil Harvey, Ian Chappell and Ricky Ponting, while Steve Smith excelled in the all-important post during the 2015 Ashes.

Labuschagne hopes to not spend too much time with the Heat.

Labuschagne hopes to not spend too much time with the Heat.Source:News Corp Australia

The pressure-laden promotion sat just fine with Labuschagne, who hopes to remain at No. 3 if picked in the squad named on Wednesday.

“Absolutely. Anyone who gets the opportunity to bat at three for their country wants to make it their own,” Labuschagne told reporters.

“I actually found it a bit easier to go out there (early in the innings) because it’s somewhere I’m really used to batting.

“I’m not a great waiter to bat, I love getting out there.

“So it was actually really good. I think it played in my favour really, to be able to get out there as quick as I can and get into the battle.”

Labuschagne was slated to bat at No. 6 during his debut Test series against Pakistan.

Smith and David Warner’s looming returns suggest the right-hander may be forced down the order later this year in England, presuming he remains in the XI. Australia’s two-match series against Sri Lanka, which starts in Brisbane on January 24, will be their final Tests before a daunting Ashes tour.

“I would love it (being part of an Ashes series) … there’s a lot of cricket to be played until then,” Labuschagne said.

“I just have to get better at converting those starts to bigger scores … it was frustrating not to go on with it (at the SCG).

“Technically my game is in a good place, I feel like I’m batting really well.”

— AAP

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*