Chris Lynn, a previous fan favourite, was scheduled to return to the Gabba, but Brisbane Heat spoiled his visit by shocking Adelaide Strikers by six runs thanks to a half-century from Sam Billings. The Heat, who were in last position and had lost their first two games of the season after a six-game losing skid to close their previous campaign, faced the unbeaten Strikers in a BBL matchup on Friday night with three victories.
The Strikers lost early wickets to fall to 38 for 4, but Billings pushed the Heat to 166 for 9 after the host team won the bat flip. The Strikers finished their 20 overs barely short. Thomas Kelly scored a career-high 43 runs off 33 balls as part of a 73-run combination with Colin de Grandhomme (37), and some ferocious late hitting from Harry Nielsen (24) left the visitors requiring 32 runs from the final three overs.
But in the 19th over, Michael Neser grabbed a wicket and only allowed four runs to be scored, thereby ending Adelaide’s chances of winning. The Heat’s most effective bowler, Mark Steketee, finished with 4 for 34 from his four overs. In the first game against his former team, Lynn, who served as the Heat’s face for 11 seasons, made 12 before being controversially handed the lbw.
After Neser caught Jake Weatherald in front with the first ball of the innings, the all-time BBL top run-scorer made his way to the crease in the opening over. Lynn moved down the wicket to the first ball he faced in an exciting over, one of three wides. Neser bowled that over, attempted to edge one past a diving second slip for four while missing twice.
When Matt Short was out in the second over, the visitors were in danger at 14 for 2. Things became worse when Lynn was given out off the first ball of the fourth over. Attackers were left to regret Weatherald’s wasted DRS attempt, which was unsuccessful and prevented Lynn from reviewing his choice because replays plainly showed the ball going over the stumps.
Prior to being dropped on 22 and 42, Billings pounded for 27 runs, including three sixes, off Peter Siddle’s 19th over. After 48 deliveries, he ultimately left the game for 79 runs, with six fours and four sixes in his innings. The Heat’s second-best batter, Max Bryant, with 46 total bases, including eight fours.
While Short didn’t succeed at the plate, he had career-high statistics of 3 for 14 from his three offspin overs. Quick Henry Thornton, who now has the most wickets in the BBL, concluded with 1 for 37, bringing his season total to 12.