Brisbane Heat win big in front of record home domestic cricket crowd
MACQUARIE’S SUMMER OF CRICKET LINE-UP TONIGHT: David Morrow and Greg Matthews
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HEAT WIN
Brisbane Heat have broken Perth Scorchers’ unbeaten streak, winning by 49 runs in front of a record domestic cricket Gabba crowd of 35,564.
Following the Strikers loss last night, the Scorchers became the second team in consecutive nights to have their respective unbeaten streaks broken.
In truth, the Scorchers never looked likely after a slow start that saw the likes of Yasir Shah and Mitchell Swepson restrict the away side early.
Brendan Doggett was comfortably the Heat’s best bowler of the night, taking five wickets off four overs.
Mark Steketee also ended up with impressive figures of 3-28 off four overs for the Heat, which included the wickets of Klinger (15) and Cartwright (0) off successive balls.
The Scorchers will look to avenge tonight’s defeat at home to the Renegades on Monday night while the Heat will host the Hurricanes at the Gabba next Wednesday, looking to notch up successive home wins.
Click PLAY below for highlights from the Scorchers innings
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Official crowd at the Gabba tonight is 35,564.
That's a domestic cricket record for the ground. 👏👏 #BBL07 pic.twitter.com/CGDR7J76iA
— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) January 5, 2018
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INNINGS BREAK
Led by Joe Burns and Ben Cutting late in the innings, Brisbane Heat have posted a damaging 6/191 off their 20 overs.
Earlier in the night, Brendon McCullum was left stranded at the non-strikers end for the first 14 deliveries as fellow Bash Brother Chris Lynn blasted the ball to all parts of the Gabba.
Lynn was at his explosive best one more, hitting 39 off just 20 balls before he holed out to Adam Voges off the bowling Englishman David Willey. The aforementioned Cutting ended up as the Heat’s highest scorer, finishing on 46 not out off 20 deliveries.
Ashton Agar was arguably the Scorchers best bowler, amassing figures of 1-22 off his four overs. Joel Paris – who replaced Mitchell Johnson – showed no signs of rust, finishing with figures of 1-36 off four overs.
Click PLAY below for full highlights from the Heat innings
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Greg Matthews has slammed the recent decision of Test selectors to turn their back on Mitchell Swepson
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TOSS
Perth Scorchers win the toss and elect to bowl.
Click HERE for the confirmed team news
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RECAP
Here’s some of what’s making news in the world of cricket today:
- Day 2 at the SCG: Relive all the action as Australia do battle with England in the final Ashes Test
- BBL last night: Hurricanes cause an upset against the Strikers
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PREVIEW
In the mood for a Friday night thriller? You’re in luck, as tonight has the potential to be the best game of BBL|07 so far.
Top-of-the-table Perth Scorchers make the long trip to Brisbane, looking to extend their unbeaten run to five. As for the Heat, they’re slowly building into the season after a slow start and currently sit fourth on the ladder.
The big team news is 36-year-old spearhead Mitchell Johnson has been left in Perth, with Joel Paris taking the place of the rested former Australian Test star. Johnson’s claimed six wickets this season and the Heat will be hoping to exploit his absence.
Speaking of the Brisbane side, their breakthrough win against Melbourne Stars on Tuesday night looms as a seminal moment of the club and its fortunes in BBL|07. For the first time this season, Bash Brothers Chris Lynn (63*) and Brendon McCullum (61) fired in tandem to crush their opponents.
The Scorchers had a little tougher last time out, limping over the line against Sydney Sixers on New Year’s Day, with the match in the balance until the final over.
Bash Brothers against the rampant Scorchers in front of another full house at the Gabba? It’s all set up to be a beauty.
Join us from 7.00pm AEDT (6.00pm AEST and 4.00pm AWST) on 4BC in Brisbane, 6PR in Perth, NTS Digital around the country and through the Cricket Australia website and app as David Morrow and Greg Matthews bring you every ball from the Gabba.