Aggressive half-centuries from Usman Khawaja (94) and Marnus Labuschagne (73) knocked Sydney Thunder out of the ongoing BBL, setting up Brisbane Heat’s eight-run victory by DLS method in the rain-marred Eliminator at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday (January 27). The second-wicket pair put on a 128-run stand to propel Heat to a challenging 203/5 but a couple of rain interruptions thwarted Thunder’s chances of chasing down the difficult target despite David Warner looking in ominous touch.
Put in to bat first, Khawaja lost opening partner Josh Brown early in the fourth over but combined with his Australia Test teammate to punish the Thunder attack. Khawja hit three sixes and ten fours in his 55-ball knock before being dismissed six short of what would have been a deserving hundred when Ben Cutting broke the threatening stand in the 17th over. Labuschagne contributed an equally brutal 73 off 48, picking up seven boundaries and a couple of sixes along the way before departing on the penultimate ball of the innings. Another key hand that helped the Heat over 200 was Matt Renshaw’s 8-ball cameo. He hit his six of his three and scored a valuable 24 in a short his 32-run streak against Labuchagne himself. When most other bowlers were at least conceding his 8.5 economy, Thunder captain Chris Green was the bowler’s choice going 29 for 2 in his four overs of the day.
The Thunder’s pursuit of a difficult goal took an early hit when James Basley grabbed starter Matthew Gilks for just 17 runs in three overs. But Warner was in the midst of his knock at Limitful when it started to rain. The Thunder 8 came off his DLS par score at the time with his 52/1 after 6.5 overs.
The Thunder’s goal was fixed to 38 overs from his 2.1 overs and play was due to resume almost 50 minutes later, but just before the players returned to the field the rain returned, dashing any hopes of an improbable pursuit and allowing the Heat to retire. helped move forward.
Brief scores: Brisbane Heat 203/5 in 20 overs (Usman Khawaja 94, Marnus Labuschagne 73; Chris Green 2-29) beat Sydney Thunder 52/1 in 6.5 overs (David Warner 36*; James Bazley 1-3) by 8 runs (DLS Method)