BBL6 Game 28 Recap - Melbourne Stars v Brisbane Heat @ MCG
Melbourne Stars 7/138 (20 Overs) Defeated By Brisbane Heat 3/139 (18.1 Overs)
Heat Through To Final After Massive Win
The Brisbane Heat are the first team through to the BBL6 finals after recording their fifth win of the season against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG last night. Without their batting lynchpins, Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn, many thought the Heat would be cannon fodder for the Stars’ team with their full strength bowling line up available through the return of Adam Zampa. However, it was the Heat that dominated from the outset, claiming the key wickets of both Robert Quiney and Kevin Pietersen in the first over for golden ducks. From there, the Heat bowlers really strangled a Stars batting line up that has struggled to be as prolific as in the past, as they were reduced to a mediocre score of 3/138 from their 20 overs. Despite the loss of a couple of early wickets, the Heat were always in control of the chase thanks to a bright 39 from youngster Sam Heazlett, opening in place of Brendon McCullum. An excellent unbroken 74-run partnership from Alex Ross (46n/o) and Joe Burns (42n/o) steered the Heat home with more than 3 overs to spare.
Heat Keep Improving As A Unit
Earlier on in BBL6, and throughout past seasons, I had thought the Heat had looked like a bit of a team of individuals. They relied on too few, and often their victories were based around individual heroics rather than solid team strategy and execution. However, last night was the exclamation point on how far they have come under Head Coach Daniel Vettori and Captain Brendon McCullum. Without Samuel Badree, I forecasted some tough times for the Heat attack. However, they have been magnificently led By Mark Steketee who is making a case for being the premier fast bowler in BBL6. Steketee is now the equal second leading wicket taker, alongside team mate Mitchell Swepson, with 11 wickets at 18 and an economy rate of 7.6. The Heat's youngsters are really blossoming under the veteran New Zealand captain and coach’s leadership. The likes of Heazlett, Wildermuth and company are playing cricket with freedom and making vital contributions. Even without Chris Lynn, once they get McCullum and Badree back for the finals, this side are going to be pretty tough to beat.
Log Jam Of Teams Amazing
It can be a bit of a cliche tossed around in some sports that we have the "closest competition ever." However, the BBL6 ladder is a log jam of possibilities and permutations. We won't do them all here because it would send everyone mad - the easiest way to put it is there are six sides still fighting for three spots in the finals, with each team having played seven games. It took 27 BBL6 games for a side to be eliminated from finals contention, being the Adelaide Strikers after their tense 6-run loss to the Renegades. It took a remarkable 28 games for a side to officially book their ticket for the Finals with the Heat winning last night. The win ensures their first Final’s appearance in four seasons. The Stars remain in second place, however face a crunch regular season finale at home to the Sixers. The Thunder need to win to keep their finals hopes alive tonight against the Sixers, while the Hurricanes and Perth clash is another huge game in Perth later in the week. The Renegades looked dead and buried after their late collapse the Hurricanes, however with a solid net run rate can still qualify for the finals with a win in Brisbane next week. There is nothing worse in sport than having a lop sided competition, and teams that are out of the race a long way from home. It's why the BBL is close to the best product in the country.
Swepson A Kid Going Places
I said in the preview, it will be interesting to see how Mitchell Swepson responds to the extra hype after being picked as a bolter in the Test side to go to India. Well, the answer was crystal clear and in bold letters as Swepson claimed the outstanding figures of 2/14 from his 4 overs to help the Heat to an upset victory. Whilst last night at the MCG is a far cry to bowling to Virat Kohli and the prolific Indians in their own backyard, to me it shows the kid has bottle and self-belief. I have always maintained in cricket you need self-belief in bucket loads to make it professionally, however that is particularly important for leg spinners. It can be the cruellest and toughest skill in the game, the art of wrist spinning, with the big bats and small grounds of today making it a harder and harder craft to get to the top level. Swepson appears far from a one trick pony, with his variation and changes in flight. Based on what I have seen in the BBL, I think it’s a good decision to take the youngster to India, even if it is purely for learning purposes.
Mixed Night For Dusty Lurker
Last night summed up The Lurker for 2017. He gave us bits of pure gold with his Swepson/Ross High Bat/Bowler double for the Heat, landing a big payout. Whilst The Lurker told us all Luke Wright would score 25+, he also predicted a Stars victory, which proved a real dud selection. The Lurker is now 18-10 overall, and just 8-9 in 2017. Can be bounce back tonight as the Thunder hosts the Strikers?