Heat leave it too late as Thunder strike

This was a must-win game for the Brisbane Heat who sat in fifth place before the start of the game level on points with the Perth Scorchers.It was as crucial for the Sydney Thunder who never the less would be going for the win as they would have hoped to secure the top spot in the standings.

It was a tense game at Allan Border Field as the Heat needed to reach their target within the sixteenth over to get their net run-rate to a level that would see them move above the Adelaide Strikers.

With the game starting an hour after the other game that would help seal the fate of these two sides as they knew exactly what was required in the later stages of the match.When Racheal Priest and Rachael Haynes were dismissed within the first four overs it did not look promising for the Thunder.

The Heat took to the field in good spirits having beaten the Thunder only the day before and would have felt on top as they took regular wickets, as the Thunder could not construct a partnership of any substance.Jemma Barsby was the Heat bowler that caused the most problems, while she was the eighth bowler to be used, her four overs returned figures of 4 for 2.

First of all, Barsby got the important wicket of Alex Blackwell as the Thunder captain missed the delivery an was bowled. Fran Wilson then chipped to mid-off for a duck.Barsby was then not used until the penultimate over of the innings and with the Thunder looking to boost their total saw then lose two wickets with the score on 110.

117 for 8 didn’t seem like it was a good enough total for the Thunder to defend, but when they had Beth Mooney caught the second ball stopping on a Rene Farrell delivery there was a belief among the Thunder.

41 for 1 soon became 50 for 4, Kirby Short nudged at a Belinda Vakarewa delivery and edged behind.Vakarewa the got the important wicket of Delissa Kimmince and the Thunder were in the game.

The Heat kept on going and was still up with the run-rate but needed to go even harder to improve their net run-rate.

Jess Jonassen hit a six that put the Heat in pole position, but going for another big hit was dismissed by Farrell.

Wickets then fell quickly knowing that a win wasn’t enough and they would need to win it quickly. The Thunder were able to complete the win, although it was not enough for them to finish above the Sixers.

In the end, the Heat finished two points off fourth place in what had at times looked a promising campaign but ultimately they just didn’t do enough to go through to the next stage of the competition that starts on Thursday.

Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat

Sydney Thunder 117 for 8 (Carey 26, Barsby 4 for 2)

Brisbane Heat 115 all out (Harris 33, Jonassen 33, Vakarewa 3 for 17)