Big Bash League 2020-21 (BBL 10), Eliminator: Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers - Controlled Heat End Strikers Journey

Brisbane Heat advanced to the Knockout Stage of the BBL 10 after beating Adelaide Strikers by six wickets at The Gabba (Brisbane) on Friday (29th January) night.

After winning the bat flip toss, Adelaide Strikers chose to bat first. While Adelaide Strikers scored 130/7 in 20 overs, Brisbane Heat chased down that target in 18.5 overs after losing four wickets.

Big Bash League 2020-21 (BBL 10), Eliminator: Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers

2nd innings (Brisbane Heat) – Joe Denly and Jimmy Peirson controlled the chasing after three quick wickets fall

Chasing down the target, Brisbane Heat lost three quick wickets inside the mandatory powerplay. They were struggling on 24/3 in four overs. All those crucial dismissed batsmen failed to reach the double-digit scores (Chris Lynn 6, Marnus Labuschagne 6 and Sam Heazlett 4).

However, opener Joe Denly and wicket-keeper batsman Jimmy Peirson handled the post mandatory powerplay situation very well and controlled that chasing. They set up the 69 runs partnership for the fourth wicket which eased their chasing.

In the 14th over, Danny Briggs finally brought the breakthrough by dismissing opener Joe Denly four 41 runs off 40 balls (2 fours and only six). But it was not enough for Strikers as Pierson and Joe Burns comfortably guided the Brisbane Heat to reach the target.

They took the Power Surge in the 18th over and finished the game in 18. 5 overs without losing any other wicket. Pierson scored 47 not out off 44 balls (2 fours) while Burns was unbeaten on run-a-ball 17 runs (2 fours).

1st innings (Adelaide Strikers) – Leg-spinner Marnus Labuschagne again played a heroic role

Openers Alex Carey and Jake Weatherald put the 45 runs partnership for the first wicket. But once that partnership was broken, Strikers struggled to run comfortably as they lost the wickets at regular intervals. Wicket-keeper batsman Carey scored 13 runs before Mitchell Swepson dismissed him.

They took the powerplay during the 11 over, while Weatherald was run out for 32 runs on the second ball of that powerplay. In those two overs of that powerplay, Adelaide Strikers scored 16/1.

Marnus Labuschagne again impressed with the ball as Brisbane Heat leg-spinner got three wickets in that innings and finished with the bowling figures of 3-0-13-3. He also dismissed Michael Neser for a golden duck where Ben Laughlin grabbed a stunner at wide long-on.

Apart from the opener Jake Weatherald, only Phil Salt (26) and Jonathan Wells (20) managed to reach the 20-run marks.

Also, another leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson (2/23) got two wickets while the X factor player Morne Morkel (1/31) picked up a wicket of Danny Briggs (2).

Brief Scores: Adelaide Strikers – 130/7 in 20 overs (Jake Weatherald 32, Phil Salt 26; Marnus Labuschagne 3/13) vs Brisbane Heat – 131/4 in 18.5 overs (Jimmy Pierson 47*, Joe Denly 41; Peter Siddle 1/14)

Result: Brisbane Heat won by 6 wickets