Ben Duckett Extends Heat’s lead to Fourth Place
English batsman Ben Duckett scored his highest BBL score as Brisbane Heat beat Adelaide Strikers by 39 runs.
Ben Duckett scored 78 runs in just 47 balls at the Adelaide Oval and the Heat scored 7 for 208. In reply, the strikers scored 8 for 169 and were never in the hunt after losing both the openers in the opening nine balls.
Also Read: Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma Holiday In Gulmarg
Strikers Jonathan Wells smashed a 41-ball 55, but they remained in the quagmire with just one win in five matches. However, the Heat took a big step up the ladder with their second win, jumping from seventh to fourth.
Ben Duckett’s Scintillating knock Played a key role in the win
Ben Duckett’s blazing knock played a key role in the win. He hit 10 fours and two sixes and shared a brilliant partnership with Sam Heazlett (49 off 30 balls). The pair added 114 runs in just 11 overs before being dismissed for successive deliveries by Rashid Khan.
Rashid was denied his second BBL hat-trick and took 3 for 34 but the damage done by Ben Duckett and Hazlett, who hit three sixes and three fours.
The pair cashed in after a quick start – their partnership began at 3 for 74 after seven overs. After winning the toss, Heat opener Chris Lynn scored 10 runs off four balls from Wes Agar. And fell behind fifth in an attempt to guide the third man.
Also Read: Brian Lara Joins SRH’s New Support Staff
He was replaced by Tom Cooper, who scored 16. But that too came off just five balls – he hit Peter Siddle for two fours and a six. Before the Strikers captain dismissed him lbw with an excellent yorker.
The wickets failed to deter Max Bryant’s attack. Who reduced the visitors to 2 for 64 at the end of the six-over powerplay. But his 20-ball knock in the next over. Which included five fours and a six, was caught at the midwicket boundary off Rashid.
Ben and Hazlett again added a 100-run Partnership in just 61 balls
Heat were 3 for 94 after 10 overs and Ben Duckett and Hazlett again got up to speed and shared a 100-run stand in just 61 balls.
Run chase stumbled early. Opener Matt Short hit two sixes off the first two balls. A couple of sixes off the next two balls, and then gave wicketkeeper Jimmy Pierson an edge from spinner Matt Kuhnman.
And on the ninth ball of the strikers’ innings. Jake Weatherald given a frightening start to the home side by paceman Mark Steckty (3 for 27).
Also Read: Ireland Captain Laura Delany Happy birthday
Wells and Matt Renshaw remained steady. But after 10 overs the strikers were at 2 for 82 and were on good pace. Renshaw dismissed in the 12th over and Wells. Who hit six fours and a six, dismissed in the 13th over to destroy all of the strikers’ momentum.
Tom Kelly made 27 off 22 balls and George Garten hit three sixes in five balls off his 19 balls. But became Kuhnman’s third victim, while Heat all-rounder James Bazley made 2 for 27.