Heat deters hurricanes, shoots fifth
The rising Brisbane Heat have rocketed to fifth in the Big Bash League standings with a third straight win.
The Heat put Hobart 163 for Friday’s win and were looking home until Tim David teeted off in a 20-run 18-over.
Michael Neser was instrumental in the Heat’s victory.Credit:Getty
With the Hurricanes needing 18 from the last over, 27-year-old fast rookie Spencer Johnson (1-22 from four overs) kept his nerve.
Three times David (44 of 27) was hit, the big hitter failed to find the rope and the Hurricanes finished 12 runs short for the Heat to put them and the lagging Adelaide Strikers in fifth place.
The Heat hosts the stars on Sunday and has one-handed a ticket to the five-team finals series.
Player of the match Michael Neser (3-27) was influential again while James Bazley assisted the big wicket of Matthew Wade (45) who failed to get going with a slow gabba wicket.
“I changed my mindset a bit to attack more and try to take wickets instead of going straight into defense,” said Neser, who has 18 wickets in 10 innings this season.
He said the return of captain Usman Khawaja was a key reason for their resurgence, with his ability to keep Johnson calm and focused in the final.
Matt Renshaw continued his torrid summer with a 41-of-31 heat-high and three tight off-spin overs that resulted in one wicket and just 12 runs.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/yes-sir-neser-heat-hold-off-hurricanes-shoot-to-fifth-20230121-p5ceff.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport Heat deters hurricanes, shoots fifth
