Brisbane Heat have won the Big Bash League (BBL) title after 11 years post defeating Sydney Sixers by 54 runs in the all-important finals. Despite Sydney Sixers receiving home support at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Brisbane kept their nerves and outclassed their opposition in the finals.
Batting first, the runners-up of BBL 2022-23 had posted a modest total of 166 runs on the board. Josh Brown, who had scored a magnificent knock of 140 runs against Adelaide Strikers in the previous playoff game, top-scored for the Heat with a sublime knock of 53 runs in 38 deliveries.
His knock was packed with 5 fours and 3 sixes and he batted with a strike-rate of 139.47. Brown was ultimately dismissed by Steve O’Keefe when he was trapped LBW.
Matt Renshaw scored 40 runs while skipper Nathan McSweeney mustered a knock of 33 runs in 32 balls. He smashed 5 fours in his innings.
Sean Abbott was the pick of the bowlers for Sydney Sixers after he bagged 4 wickets. Ben Dwarshuis and Steve O’Keefe had picked up 1 wicket each. `
Brisbane Heat’s bowlers were breathing fire in the 2nd innings
The 2nd innings was where the entire action took a different turn. Brisbane Heat’s bowlers played exceedingly well and gave their entire heart out. They skittled out the Sixers for a paltry score of 112 runs and emerged out victorious in this edition of BBL.
Spencer Johnson was the cynosure of all eyes as he bagged 4 wickets and set the tone for the Heat. Xavier Bartlett and Mitchell Swepson took 2 wickets each and rubbed salt on the wounds of Sydney Sixers.
None of the batters of Sydney Sixers looked good and they couldn’t soak up the pressure which was constantly being given by the opposition bowlers.
Skipper Moises Henriques top-scored with a knock of 25 runs Josh Philippe scored 23 runs in 22 balls.
Brisbane Heat had a glorious run in BBL 2023-24. After losing to Sydney Sixers in their first playoff game, they defeated Adelaide Strikers in the next Qualifier by 54 runs to seal a place in the finals.
They had topped the league table after the end of the round-robin stage with 7 wins in 10 games.
Brisbane Heat’s last title came in BBL 2012-13, when they defeated Perth Scorchers in the finals. They had finished as runners-up in the previous edition after they were beaten by Perth Scorchers.
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