BBL 7 - Heat v Thunder Recap -My 5 Takes
1. Heat Scramble Home In Rain Reduced Game
A late cameo from Alex Ross helped the Heat scramble over the line with a ball to spare against the Sydney Thunder last night at The Gabba. The match was reduced to a 17-over affair after an early rain delay, with the Heat managing to overhaul the target of 151 in 17 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Alex Ross's 26 not out from 9 balls, combined with Joe Burns 51 not out, edged the Heat over the line after requiring 40 from 23 balls when the pair got together. Earlier in the night Shane Watson continued his imperious form, belting 56 from 34 balls to help propel his side towards a competitive score. The win gives the Heat two victories from their opening three games, whilst the Thunder have dropped two straight since their opening night victory over the Sixers.
2. Burns Does it Again
Joe Burns has been one of the most underrated contributors in the BBL in the past 12 months as he propelled the Heat again last night with a crucial middle order contribution. Burns has made light of being shunted from his regular opening position, to become a middle order tyro capable of controlling an innings as well as upping the tempo when required. Burns once again batted intelligently, using the vast expanses of the long side of the field to scramble for 2s, whilst also being able to clear the ropes with some lusty blows by staying deep in his crease. Burns has a very tidy record with the Heat considering he often comes in with less then 10 overs to go, meaning his average will naturally suffer. Burns averages 28 from 50 T20 games, and whilst his strike rate of 123 isn't dynamic, it is more than good enough for a team containing the likes of Brendon McCullum, Chris Lynn and Ben Cutting. It gives the Heat a great balance to their batting line up.
3. Thunder Limited With Batting Depth
This was a much improved batting display from the Thunder compared to their opening two games against the Sixers and Strikers. Jos Buttler looked better without fully getting going, whilst Callum Ferguson makes a big difference to the class of their middle order coming in at Number 4. Initially I was a bit critical of Ferguson, given he only scored 13 from his first 13 balls in a rain reduced game; however it's clear the Thunder have limitations in their order. With Arjun Nair coming in at Number 6, the Thunder cannot afford to be as gung-ho as sides like the Heat or Stars who possess batters like Rob Quiney, James Faulkner, Ben Cutting and Alex Ross at 6 or below. Ferguson finished with 37 from 26 balls, whilst Ben Rohrer chipped in with a handy innings towards the end to propel them to a respectable score of 4/149 from their 17 overs. The Thunder’s batting Powerplay remains a problem, with the side only averaging 6 runs per over with the fielding restrictions.
4. LynnSanity Back in Action
It was great to see Chris Lynn back on the paddock last night for the Heat. Whilst his innings might have been fleeting, his 25 from 9 balls changed the momentum of the game after the early dismissal of Brendon McCullum. Lynn didn't afford himself any sighters in his return from injury, crashing his first ball over cover for 6, before picking up a pull shot and depositing it for 6 from just his third ball. Lynn has a pretty simple technique in that he stays back in his crease and stays leg side of the ball in order to get as much leverage as possible to get under the ball. He has said he finds it easier to hit 6s than 4s, and that comes across in his technique. Lynn still looked very ginger in the field as he returns from shoulder surgery, and will need more than a few nice 20s to convince Australian selectors he should a part of the 50-over series against England starting on 14 January.
5. Rohrer Blow a Scary Sight
I hate to say it, but it's only a matter of time before a bowler, umpire, or as was the case with Ben Rohrer, a non-striking batsman, cops a serious injury from a returning missile. Callum Ferguson's flat-batted smash cannoned into Rohrer, and the result could have been far, far worse than a bruised collarbone. With the size of the bats these days, and the force these modern day batsman hit, it could lead to a catastrophic injury. Personally I believe all umpires should be wearing helmets these days. Fast bowlers obviously can't wear helmets, however I worry about some of them given their long follow-through and the fact their heads come up just in time to see a ball careering towards them. Cricket NSW made it mandatory for all their coaches to wear helmets when giving throw downs to NSW players this season, in a growing sign of how hard these balls are travelling back towards their destination.