BBL 2019-20 | Hurricanes vs Heat - Ask Me Anything ft Tom Banton’s performance and David Miller’s misery

Who won the toss?

Unfortunately no, it was yet another disappointing outing for the youngster. 8 runs was all he could manage, before skying one to Nathan Ellis at the cow-corner boundary. 

To everyone’s pleasant surprise, NO. In fact, in a total of 10 overs versus spin today, they scored a mammoth 103 runs, losing just two wickets in the process. Impressive, isn’t it?

Wow. 103/2 versus spin? That is impressive. How much did they end up scoring and who was the highest run-getter?

Ah, that’s nice. So if Lynn scored the bulk of the runs, I’m assuming that Max Bryant failed once again?

That’s where you’re wrong, kiddo. Our boy Bryant bullied the bowlers today, and after scores of 6, 1, 6 and 11 in the first 4 matches, he finally turned up the heat today, scoring a 36-ball 65. Personally, I loved this hit from him.

Frankly speaking, nil. James Faulkner limped off after just two overs, and no bowler - not even mystery man Qais Ahmed - was spared by Lynn & Co. If anything Riley Meredith, who finished with figures of 1/38 off his 4, was the pick of the bowlers for them. In fact, they were equally bad in both halves - they conceded 100 in the first 10 and 112 in the last 10. 

So how did the Hurricanes openers respond? Did they believe that the chase was possible?

Oh, then I’m assuming D’Arcy Short and Ben McDermott took the chase deep for the Hurricanes?

They’d have loved for it to happen, but unfortunately, their partnership just lasted 33 runs. They perished in quick succession post the partnership. Oh, and you should check out this amazing delivery from Renshaw (yes !!) that castled Short. I loved his celebration.

Oh he was brilliant. One of his more expensive spells, but I’m assuming any captain in the world would take figures of 1/33 off 4 overs from his spinner whilst defending 213. 

Please tell me David Miller fired?

Oh boy. Was there anything interesting about this Hurricanes chase at all?

Moments of brilliance were few and far between. But yes, there was a phase between the 14th-16th over where #OurGeorge George Bailey smacked two humongous sixes. Oh and Clive Rose played a brilliant cameo towards the end, too, scoring 27 off 13 balls. That was quite a sight. Ben McDermott smoked a few out of the park earlier in the innings too, but apart from that, it was one-way traffic. The Heat steamrolled over the Hurricanes.

181/9 was all the Hurricanes managed to score, meaning they lost the match by 31 runs. An underwhelming performance, if there ever was one. 

What do you think was the turning point of the match?

Any thoughts on this match? Anything you’ve interpreted from it?

I mean, the BBL is unpredictable, yes, but a few things were crystal clear. For starters, Chris Lynn is the best and the most destructive batsman the BBL has ever seen, let’s not even debate that. Matt Renshaw is also becoming an extremely handy utility player in this format. He was impressive. And coming to the Hurricanes, they have problems, big problems, in their batting and they would need to fix it ASAP.  Miller’s dismal form is a major concern for them. The future does not look so bright for them. 

This was a HUGE win for Brisbane Heat, who have now rocketed to fifth place, just 3 points shy off a top four spot with a game in hand. Hobart have moved down to second from bottom and unless something dramatic happens, it looks likely that they will miss out on a knockout spot this season.