BRISBANE: Sydney Thunder’s Sam Billings hit an astonishing half-century before Saqib Mahmood rattled Brisbane Heat’s top-order to push their side seal a convincing victory in their Big Bash League (BBL) fixture.
Mahmood wreak havoc over Heat’s top-order; with a fierce opening spell of 4-9 (2 overs). Chasing 197, Heat were halted by a poor start; losing their first five wickets for just 15 runs.
Tom Cooper, on the other hand, appeared solid; scoring 32 off just 18 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes. The batter fell victim to Chris Green’s brilliant delivery.
Having lost seven wickets for just 60, Xavier Bartlett and Mark Steketee, showed fightback, the low-order batters, recorded a tremendous 79-runs partnership before Steketee dismissed; scoring 33 off 24 balls laced with two boundaries and a six. The Heat lost their remaining wickets in a quick succession, and bowled out for a skimpy 143.
Bartlett remained not-out with 42 off 29 balls, the batter smashed three boundaries and a six.
For Thunder, Mahmood bagged four wickets, while Tanveer Sangha took three. Daniel Sams and Green, on the other hand, each took a wicket.
Batting first, the Thunder were off to a decent start; with their top-four batters chipped in significantly to assist their side to a commendable total of 196/7 in 20 overs.
Jason Sangha scored 39 off off 28 balls, including three boundaries and a maximum, while Billing, top-scored, with his 64 off just 27 balls, laced with boundaries and as many sixes.
For the Heat, Bartlett, Steketee, and Mitchell Swepson, each took two wickets, while James Bazley struck out a batter.
With this victory, the Thunder have now moved up to the third position, while the Heat remained at seventh.
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