Despite not being able to dominate the proceedings with the bat and setting up a sub-par total for the Brisbane Heat, the bowlers somehow turned the tide in favour of the Adelaide Strikers in the 13th encounter of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21. Electing to field first, Heat’s skipper Jimmy Peirson’s move paid off immediately as Xavier Bartlett struck to trap opener Jake Weatherland LBW in the first over.

Though Phil Salt and Matt Renshaw steadied the innings and added 60 for the second wicket, they failed to break free and their stand took as many as 56 deliveries. After the early breakthrough, the second-wicket stand between Salt and Renshaw ensured that the Strikers did not lose another wicket until the 10th over.

However, once they did, they lost two in succession – first Mark Steketee got Renshaw (32 from 28) caught at deep fine leg, and Salt (25 from 28) fell the immediately following delivery as the right-hander top-edged a slower one to give the bowler a return catch.

Jonathan Wells (31 from 26 and Harry Nielsen (28 from 20) took the Strikers to 150 for 6 but it was slightly disappointing given the spectacular platform they had at around the halfway mark.

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Pierson gives life to a dead-chase

Coming to chase an easy target, the Heat continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Sam Heazlett failed to trouble the scorers and fell to Daniel Worrall on the second ball of Heat’s response, as he picked the fielder at backward point. Danny Briggs then struck in the very next over to get rid of Simon Milenko, whereas Rashid Khan got rid of Max Bryant to reduce them to 25 for 3.

Having lost their top-three inside 5 overs, the eyes were on the middle-order, however, the trio of Briggs, Peter Siddle, and Rashid Khan tightened the noose around them as Heat’s struggle continued. Despite the recurring setbacks, skipper Jimmy Peirson fought his way through and notched up his half-century.

Joined by Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the middle, the duo rebuilt the innings as they pressed the accelerator hard through their 60-run partnership off just 24 balls to pour in some life to a nearly-dead chase.

Heat fall painfully short

Rahman (18 from 10) struck a couple of strokes apart from ensuring to give the strike to Peirson (69 from 36). The 9th wicket stand was broken by Peter Siddle as he knocked over the former in the 18th over. Reduced to 9 for 128, Peirson continued his lone battle, however, the heat fell agonizingly close in the end by 2 runs as Worrall defended 13 from the last over.

Here are the best tweets:

Massive effort from Peirson – I really thought he was going to get the Heat over the line! #BBL10

— Debbie (@Deborah_Deborah) December 23, 2020

Oh, such heart break for @HeatBBL and Pearson!
Good hand from Mujib too to give his team a hand.
Not being able to run singles in the last two overs cost them.

But in the end @StrikersBBL deserved winners.#BBL10 #BHvAS

— Armchair Cricket Podcast (@ArmchairCricPod) December 23, 2020

Well Done Brisbane Heat what a fight back another close loss 😭😭😭😭😭 #BBL10

— Cherrykie (@CherrykieMore) December 23, 2020

#BBL10 Never fails to deliver. Quality entertainment

— Adam (@adamlivvo) December 23, 2020

Would have got a statue outside the ground if he'd pulled it off but for the other 99% of the time, take the single #BBL10

— Luke (@Coach_Bags13) December 23, 2020

OH NOOOOOOOOOOO!! Feel for captain Peirson though. What a fight!!
From 41/5 at one stage to almost winning the game (lost by 2 runs). Kudos to Peirson and Mujeeb for that 60 runs 9th wicket partnership.
Crazy game of #BBL10

— Pa₹idhi $₹ivastava ➐🏏 (@BeingKohlicious) December 23, 2020

the @BBL would be happy with that finish taking the focus off of the Cooper decision #BBL10

— AJ (@AJ9427) December 23, 2020

Mistake to forgo three singles there in hindsight, but I totally get Peirson backing himself. Made a game of it from nowhere. I don't really mind that we lost tbh. That's the most excited I've been watching Big Bash in yonks. Just like the good old days. #BBL10

— Slatts (@trentslatts) December 23, 2020

Finally a decent game in #BBL10 🤯

— Jack Ashbourne🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@JackAshbourne) December 23, 2020

WHAT A GAME. Worrall found the right length in the end but kudos to Brisbane for making a game out of it. No Lynn, 68/8, a howler of a decision against Cooper. Well played, Peirson. #BBL10

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) December 23, 2020

 

Unlucky to @HeatBBL great knock fell short at the end #BBL10

— The DreamSeller (@krish_patel37) December 23, 2020