BBL | Twitter reacts to Jewell’s blitz subdue Marnus’ best to keep Heat's qualification in jeopardy

ByArijit Kundu,SportsCafe Editor

Today at 6:22 PM

The Hobart Hurricanes beat the Brisbane Heat by five wickets in a last-ball thriller. Marnus Labuschagne’s (77) best BBL score was eclipsed by a blistering start from the hosts, highlighted by Caleb Jewell’s 77, setting up a massive chase to seal the top-two spot in the Big Bash League.

Eyeing to strengthen their qualification chances, the toss favoured the home side, Hobart Hurricanes as they fielded first under pleasant conditions. Recently featured pair in Australian Tests, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney had the same bitter outing with Marcus Bean removing the youngster inside the powerplay. However, Khawaja’s 9-ball 23 gave a decent start to the Het before Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw held the forte with a 69-run third-wicket partnership. While Renshaw was gone for a 25-ball 40, Labuschagne continued merry-making with a 20-run 15th over to kick off a power surge. 30 runs came in the next three overs with Tom Aslop accompanying Labuschagne at the slog overs. Although the pair were dismissed in the final over, they ensured to fetch 23 off the last two and propel the Heat to 201 runs in 20 overs.

Unlike their counterparts, the Hurricanes got off to a dazzling start with Caleb Jewell and Mitchell Owen piling up 47 runs inside the powerplay. Owen smoked six sixes in a 20-ball 44-run knock before the 80-run partnership halted in the seventh over. Charlie Wakim followed suit with a silver duck but Jewell kept shining with the bat, taking them to 97/2 in the halfway mark. Under Nikhil Chaudhary’s companionship, the Hurricanes added 46 runs in the next four overs, before the India-born smoked a couple of sixes off Michael Neser in the 15th. Subsequently, Xavier Bartlett returned for his third to remove Chaudhary for 39 and Spencer Johnson complemented by outsmarting Jewell for 76. With 29 needed off the last three overs, nine runs each from the 18th and 19th curtailed the equation to eleven needed of the last with Matthew Wade and Jake Doran at either end. Seven runs came off the first three before a couple and a bye followed to level the score. Eventually, Bartlett erred with a full-toss at Wade, who swept it over deep square leg to seal the deal and confirm top two position.

It was his day!

🚨|Spencer Johnson in BBL.

3/26 (4 Overs )

🙌 pic.twitter.com/janQD70ghe
— Rokte Amar KKR (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) January 16, 2025

What a game !!

Is Hurricanes the best team in BBL
— ع ا ل م (@Mobile_Junkee) January 16, 2025

Wht do you think?

Is Hurricanes the best team in BBL
— ع ا ل م (@Mobile_Junkee) January 16, 2025

BBL at its peaak!!

BBL is that damn good, the final 4 games will feel like qualifying and elimination finals for those still contending, even the bottom two teams.#BBL #BBL14 #BigBash
— Paul Persic (@Paul_Persic97) January 16, 2025

Table toppers Right!