Challenger, Sydney, February 02, 2023, 01:45 PM
Sydney Sixers
116/9(20.0ov)
Brisbane Heat
117/6(18.2ov)
Brisbane Heat beat Sydney Sixers by 4 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Michael Neser
Commentry
Right then, that's all we have from this entertaining contest. Everyone expected a rematch of the last year's final but that's not happening. Instead, it's now going to be the rematch of the final of the second edition. Brisbane Heat have set a date with Perth Scorchers. Do join us on Saturday, 4th February for the all-important grand finale at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT). Our build-up will start early. Cheers!
Micheal Neser is the unanimous choice for the Player of the Match award as he picked two wickets with the ball and played a match-winning knock with the bat. Says that it was a tough game and the opponents had a class bowling attack. Claims that once you get the pace of the wicket, the batting gets easier. Adds that once the lacker came off the ball it was getting stuck in the wicket. Mentions that fortune favours the brave and gives a big smile. Reckons that losing the Test players is huge but everyone has contributed throughout the tournament and it is up to one of them to step up and he is glad it was him. Admits that he took a punt in the Power Surge and it paid off and also shares that it was the decision of the captain to take it. Feels that they are peaking at the right time but anything can happen in the final. Ends by saying that Perth Scorchers are a class bowling and batting team, forming a well-drilled unit, and it will be a tough game but Brisbane Heat are firing as well.
After the end of the match, Dan Christian was seen bidding his final goodbye. What a career he has had in the Big Bash League where he represented four teams. Not just that, he played in T20 Leagues all across the globe and won 9 titles worldwide. Dan, the man, is signing off!
It was always going to be a tricky chase against the bowling group of Sydney Sixers. Also, runs on the board in a knockout game always matter! The two innings mirrored each other, a rapid start followed by a quick fall of wickets. Brisbane Heat panicked and the bowlers of the Sixers tightened the noose by picking regular wickets. The 30-run stand between Michael Neser and Max Bryant was very crucial as it brought the chase on track but, in Ricky Ponting's words - 'outright dumb batting' from Max once again changed the tide. Neser though stayed focused and constructed a 31-run unbeaten stand with James Bazley, in which he scored 29 runs and took Brisbane Heat to their second BBL final.
Brisbane Heat took the field with a depleted unit but rode the wave of their momentum. Their bowlers did the bulk of the job by restricting Sydney Sixers to a below-par total and then Michael Neser rose to the occasion, with the bat, and stole the match and the limelight. His four 4s in a row were the highlight of this chase and that in a way shifted the pendulum back in Brisbane's favour.
What a game! A low-scoring humdinger and all thanks to Michael Neser, Brisbane Heat survive and reach the final of this edition. Well tried, Sydney Sixers. The writing was on the wall after such a mediocre batting show but their bowlers fought with all their might and made Brisbane Heat sweat for every run. A narrow escape for the Heat!
In over# 19
4
1
Ben Dwarshuis 20/1(3.2)
18.2
4
FOUR! It is only fitting that Michael Neser plays the winning shot and gets his team over the finish line! This has been a remarkable inning from the all-rounder as he settled all the nerves in the dressing room and guided this run chase to perfection. The delivery was bowled on a good length and outside off. Michael Neser gets his front foot out of the way and hoicks this towards long on for four runs to seal a 4-wicket win with 10 balls to spare.
18.1
1
Ben Dwarshuis bowls from 'round the wicket and outside the off stump on a good length. James Bazley knocks this towards mid off and sets off for a single. A direct hit at the non-striker's end and the batter is gone. The fielder misses though and they get one.
In over# 18
0
1
0
0
1
0
Sean Abbott 13/1(4)
17.6
.
Goes a tad bit fuller and angles this into the stumps. Michael Neser clips this straight to mid-wicket. Just 5 runs to get.
17.5
1
A good-length delivery in line with the stumps. James Bazley miscues his shot to the left of cover and they take one.
17.4
.
Continues to bowl on a good length and just outside the off pole. James Bazley defends this back towards the bowler.
17.3
.
This is bowled on a good length and in line with the stumps. James Bazley punches this back towards the bowler and he stops the ball with his feet.
17.2
1
Sean Abbott bowls this back of a length and angles down leg. Michael Neser clips this towards deep square leg and takes a single.
Can Sean Abbott get rid of Michael Neser?
17.1
.
Lands it on a length and close to off, Neser plays late but still finds point as he taps it down.
In over# 17
0
0
0
3
4
0
Izharulhaq Naveed 28/2(4)
16.6
.
Stumping appeal! A wrong 'un this time, flighted full and angling down leg. James Bazley looks to push at the ball and takes his back foot out of the crease. Josh Philippe collects the ball and whips the bails off and they go upstairs to check. The batter gets his foot back in time, shows the replay, but it will be three dot balls in a row.
