Power hitters smack 11 sixes between them as Brisbane Heat keeps their undefeated record intact
Match Report:
ScorecardLynn, McCullum take cane to Hobart
The result: Brisbane Heat 3-174 (C Lynn 84*, B McCullum 72, S Broad 1-24) def Hobart Hurricanes 7-173 (D Christian 33, J Wildermuth 2-26) with 22 balls to spare
Match in a tweet: Big-hitting Lynn and McCullum light up the Gabba as the power-packed Heat stretch their winning run to three
Power personified: If Brisbane Heat’s Chris Lynn wasn’t the most valuable player in this season’s KFC Big Bash League competition, he is now. The professional six-hitter smacked seven maximums in a man-of-the-match performance as he belted an unbeaten 84 off 50 balls at an eye-popping strike rate of 168. Lynn showcased his unquestionable power and expertise in the game’s shortest format, taking the Hobart Hurricanes’ bowlers to the cleaners and backing up the unbeaten 85 he made against defending champions Sydney Thunder on Wednesday night. Lynn was the leading run-scorer in BBL|05. His average from three games in BBL|06? A lazy 198.
Bash Brothers: Heat captain Brendon McCullum and Lynn combined for an awe-inspiring 109-run partnership from just 53 balls and had the sold out crowd at the Gabba in raptures. The pair resembled two hungry diners at a buffet as they tucked in to the offerings from the Heat’s bowlers and cleared the fence with regularity during their exhilarating stand that set the platform for the home side’s win. Former New Zealand skipper McCullum smacked 72 from just 35 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes. He even smacked Stuart Broad into the second tier. It won’t be the last time we see these two dismantle an opposition bowling line-up.
Lynnsanity: With the Heat cruising at 1-71 – and big-hitters McCullum and Lynn moving into full gear – Hurricanes skipper Tim Paine turned to speedster Shaun Tait in a bid to stop the bleeding. But Lynn clobbered Tait’s first delivery – a length ball on middle stump – flying out of the ground. The shot from the most dangerous batsman in the BBL was so impressive it generated a smile from Tait. Lynn also sent Tait’s third delivery back over his head and into the crowd, taking16 from the over.
The drop: You simply can’t afford to gift quality players a second chance. The Hurricanes English import Broad gained the wicket of Jimmy Peirson with the first ball of the second over of the innings and then almost removed Lynn in the same over after the Heat dynamo smashed a delivery to D’Arcy Short at deep mid-wicket. But the diving youngster missed the chance and the ball trickled over the boundary rope. Lynn was on eight at the time made the Hurricanes pay the ultimate price for the reprieve.
Pleasure and Paine: Hurricanes star Paine entered this match as the leading run-scorer in BBL|06 after producing knocks of 63 and 91 in his team’s opening two fixtures. The signs were ominous for the Heat when Paine smacked Mark Steketee for six on the third ball of the second over. But the paceman got his revenge on the next delivery as the in-form batsman departed for nine after he flashed at a ball outside off-stump and popped up a simple catch to Alex Ross at point.
No luck for George: Coming off an unbeaten 74 against Melbourne Stars, in-form batsman George Bailey had made his way to 13 from 11 balls before his stay was ended by a mixture of good fielding and a cruel piece of misfortune. After a well-timed cut shot from Dan Christian, the pair attempted a third run before Bailey lost his bat at the striker’s end and was caught short after a super throw from Alex Ross. Channel 10 commentator and Australia selector Mark Waugh described the dismissal as “desperately unlucky”.
Swepson’s shocker: Is this the worst delivery of the BBL this season? Up-and-coming Brisbane Heat leg-spinner Mitch Swepson lost his radar in the 13th over when a delivery to Dan Christian slipped down the leg-side and missed everything – including diving wicketkeeper Peirson – as it raced to the boundary rope. At least Swepson managed a smile after his error before returning 1-24 from his three overs.
The collision: Cricket isn’t a contact sport, but Heat allrounder Ben Cutting came off second best after Clive Rose cannoned into his back while taking a single. Cutting recovered to send down the final five balls of the innings and conceded 10 runs for the over as the Hurricanes finished 9-173.
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%E2%80%94 KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 30, 2016
%E2%80%94 KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 30, 2016