Not much entertainment today though, the same cannot be said tomorrow, with table-toppers Sydney Sixers taking on the dangerous Perth Scorchers in Canberra for the place in the BBL final. We will be covering that match LIVE at 1:45 PM IST, but for now, this is Pragadeesh on behalf of my fellow commentator Ankit, saying goodbye! Cheers
Everything in life turns out to be a surprise these days and another one added to the list... When was the last time the GABBA wicket played like a slow-turner? Thinking... can't remember.
It behaved like a sub-continent pitch in today's encounter but, much to the delight of the crowd, Brisbane Heat held their nerve and knock Adelaide Strikers out of the tournament.
Jimmy Peirson: "Really pleased to be in Sunday's final. We took the risk at the right time and it helps us to chase this total. A lot was expected from the bowlers and they delivered at the right time".
Jimmy Peirson is the Player Of the Match
So no late drama, twists and turns as Brisbane Heat comfortably win this match with 7 balls left, all thanks to Jimmy Peirson's excellent knock. The 20,000 people inside GABBA erupts in joy and Jimmy Peirson's reaction says it all.
Everyone was expecting Chris Lynn's fireworks in the beginning but he was dismissed by a peach of a delivery from Michael Neser in the first over. Marnus Labuschagne's stay was also short-lived before Peter Siddle got rid of Heazlett to put pressure on the Heat middle order. At 23/3, Jimmy Peirson joined hands with Joe Denly and they played some good cricketing shots. The duo stitched a 59-run partnership before Danny Briggs picked up Joe Denly's wicket in the 14th over. The drop catches proved too costly for the Strikers, and in the end, Jimmy Peirson kept his cool and made sure, the Heat win this low-scoring battle with ease. Adelaide Strikers are out of this BBL, and the Heat will face Sydney Thunder on Sunday in Canberra.
18.5 Wes Agar to Jimmy Pierson, THAT'S IT! Good length delivery on the pads, driven to the on side past mid wicket fielder for a comfortable couple of runs, that's all was needed to win the game. Strikers win and go through to play Sydney Thunder in two days.
18.4 Wes Agar to Jimmy Pierson, FOUR! Brilliant from Pierson. He saw the ball coming outside off, did everything to reach to it, almost fell flat on his face, but managed to get enough bat on it to guide it between point and short third man for a four.
18.4 Wes Agar to Jimmy Pierson, wide. Agar goes short but it's too short as the ball goes over the batsman's head for a wide.
18.3 Wes Agar to Jimmy Pierson, FOUR! Pierson uses his crease to come across and slap this full pitched ball to the on side for a four towards deep square leg.
18.2 Wes Agar to Joe Burns, DROPPED AGAIN! This is a horror show for Strikers. Good length delivery outside off, cut straight to short third man who drops a simple catch.
18.1 Wes Agar to Jimmy Pierson, full length ball, on the stumps, the batsman comes across his stumps flicks it away to deep fine leg for one.
Wes Agar to bowl the penultimate over
We have seen a lot of quick successful cameos from Joe Burns in this Big Bash League. And that powerful strike from the right-hander through mid-wicket releases the tension... 13 runs needed from 12 balls
17.6 Peter Siddle to Jimmy Pierson, yorker length just outside leg stump, the batsman gets an edge that runs away to deep fine leg for another single.
17.5 Peter Siddle to Joe Burns, good length delivery outside leg stump, following the batsman making room for himself, punched to mid on for one.
17.4 Peter Siddle to Jimmy Pierson, good length delivery on the pads, pushed through the cover region for one.
17.3 Peter Siddle to Joe Burns, yorker length on the pads, flicked to deep square leg for one.
17.2 Peter Siddle to Joe Burns, FOUR! Shortish ball, on the off stump, and Burns has pulled this to the cleaners. Beats the in field for a four to mid wicket.
