HEA VS HUR MATCH 29

Right then, that is all from this entertaining game. The game ebbed and flowed throughout but in the end, it was the Brisbane Heat who emerged victorious. With this win, the Heat become the first team to qualify for the playoffs. The Big Bash League 2023-24 action continues on 8th January, Monday when the Sydney Thunder lock horns with Perth Scorchers at the Sydney Showground Stadium. The game will begin at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT), but as always, you can join us early for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Xavier Bartlett is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliance with the ball. He says it was an unbelievable game of cricket. Adds that wickets were important in such a low-scoring game. He adds their strategy was to take as many wickets as they could early in the game, as they knew that the opposition all seven batters could bat. Feels really good to contribute to the win. Reckons that the wicket quickened up later under the lights so they had to bowl much fuller on length to get the rewards.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after being inserted into bat, Brisbane Heat were off to a sedate start. Josh Brown tried to get going but perished in doing so. Colin Munro was happy to bide his time and did well to keep the scoreboard moving along for his side. A couple of wickets on either side of the drinks meant that they just could not get any momentum in the middle phase. Munro did not throw his wicket away and soon brought up his fifty. However, he failed to kick on and got out on 56. After the skipper's departure, boundaries became hard to come by for the Heat, and they failed to finish strongly with the bat. Thanks to Paul Walter's 21-ball 22, the Heat limped their way to 132. For the Hobart Hurricanes, Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 3 for 19 from his four overs.

On the other hand, the Hobart Hurricanes had their noses in front at the halfway mark and would have backed themselves to gun down the total. They were off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets within 9 balls of the chase. Coming in at number 6, Nikhil Chaudhary made his intentions clear straightaway and took the pressure off Ben McDermott. The arrival of rain sort of helped the Hobart Hurricanes to regroup and start the run chase with a clear mindset. With the revised target of 118 from 16 overs, Nikhil Chaudhary continued to take the attack to the opposition and kept finding boundaries. By doing so, he ensured that the Hurricanes had the required run-rate in check and soon brought up his fifty. Tim David supported him well but neither he nor Chaudhary could bat till the end and take their side over the line.

Having posted a below-par total, Brisbane Heat needed early wickets to stay in the hunt, and given that run scoring was tough in the first half, they were hopeful at the halfway mark. As he has done so often, Michael Neser set the tone with a wicket in the first over. It rubbed off on Xavier Bartlett, who struck twice in his first over before going on to get his third in the next over. Having had Hurricanes on the ropes, the rain came at the wrong time for the Heat. After the resumption, the ball became difficult to grip for the Heat bowlers which allowed the Hobart Hurricanes to get back into the game. Nikhil Chaudhary was threatening to take the game away from them but with 5 needed off the last 3 balls, Paul Walter held his nerves to remove Chaudhary. Walter held his composure and saw the game out for the Hobart Hurricanes to clinch a win by one run.

WOW! WHAT A GAME AT THE GABBA! Brisbane Heat have gone on and shown why they are the table-toppers! They extend their unbeaten streak to 6 games and by doing so, they have booked their place in the playoffs. The Heat bowlers have put their hands up and have successfully defended the lowest score at The Gabba. On the other hand, Nikhil Chaudhary took the Hobart Hurricanes ever so close to the finish line but it wasn't to be.

OUT! RUN OUT! Brisbane Heat win it. A low full toss on middle. Ellis swings but hits it straight to mid off for a single. The batters have no option but to run the second but it was hit straight to the fielder. A throw at the batter's end and Sam Billings does the rest. Brisbane Heat win by 1 run.

Heated conversation between Patrick Dooley and Paul Walter.

Length and on off. Dooley turns it on the leg side for a single. Dolley turns back and bumps with Paul Walter. The umpire comes in between.

A slower length ball on middle, Ellis taps it to point for a single. 4 needed in 2 balls.

Nathan Ellis walks in with 5 runs needed in 3 balls.

OUT! GONE! The Gabba erupts as Chaudhary goes. Can Brisbane Heat win it from here? Or is it too late? Shorter and on middle, slower and Chaudhary goes for the hoick but gets a top edge to short fine leg. Sam Billings calls for it and takes. Chaudhary has done his job.

TWO MORE! Sensible from Chaudhary! Fuller and outside off. Chaudhary lofts it over mid off for a couple. 5 runs needed now.

SIX! Chaudhary, WOW! Fifty up but he will celebrate after 7 more runs. WHAT A SHOT! Short in length and on off, Chaudhary pulls it flat and hard over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Hobart Hurricanes need 13 runs in 6 balls. Patrick Dooley joins Chaudhary! Paul Walter to bowl the final over. Can Chaudhary do it for his team?

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Spencer Johnson has one more. This is short and on off, steep bounce and Jordon looks to pull but gets a top edge, high but back to Spencer Johnson who takes a sitter.

Spencer Johnson has stuck with the short ball. This is around off. Jordon looks to pull but misses.