By Joel Gould
Brisbane’s late season surge towards the Big Bash finals has continued with last-over hero Spencer Johnson securing a thrilling four-run victory over Melbourne Stars at the Gabba.
Left-arm paceman Johnson bowled the final over of the match for the second time in as many games, after keeping Hobart’s Tim David quiet on Friday night in a sensational finish.
Spencer Johnson of the Heat celebrates victory over the Melbourne Stars his teammates at The Gabba on Sunday.Credit:Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
The Stars needed 14 off the last but Johnson contained Marcus Stoinis (36 not out) and Hilton Cartwright (33 not out) with nerves of steel.
The Heat’s win was set up by an unbroken 133-run stand by wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (57 not out off 43 balls) and English import Sam Hain (73 not out off 41) who lifted the home side to 4-188 batting first.
The Heat’s win was set up by an unbroken 133-run stand by English import Sam Hain (73 not out off 41), above, and wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (57 not out off 43 balls).Credit:Getty images
The last-placed Stars needed 44 with 14 deliveries to go before Cartwright and Stoinis were both caught off full tosses that were correctly ruled over the waist.
The pair walloped sixes and fours to set up a final ball showdown. Johnson, playing just his fifth BBL match, unleashed the perfect yorker and kept Stoinis quiet.
“I was quite nervous with that one. The other night I had a bit more to play with,” Johnson said.
“Uz (captain Usman Khawaja) has backed me in. He has been great standing at mid-off and keeping me calm.
“Talking to a few of my close mates after the other night they said, ‘Geez, if you can so that to David you can do that to anyone’. That gives me a lot of confidence to do what I just did.”
The Heat, on 13 points, can now wrap up a top-five finals position with a win over Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston on Wednesday.
Hilton Cartwright of the Stars went into the final over on 33 not out but was contained by Johnson.Credit:Getty Images
The table is that tight: the Heat could finish as high as third or still miss the finals, depending on results.
“In the dressing room the boys are up and about,” Johnson said.
“We are playing good cricket but once we get the complete game I think we are going to be scary good. I reckon we are definitely a force to be reckoned with.”
Stars opener Tom Rogers smashed 41 off 20 balls to get the visitors moving quickly in pursuit of the Heat’s total.
Mitchell Swepson (2-23 off four) was decisive for the Heat with his accurate legspinners pegging back the early momentum.
Earlier, Hain and Peirson came together at 4-55 in the seventh over.
Peirson, playing his 101st BBL game for Brisbane, was pugnacious square of the wicket while Hain unfurled a vast range of shots, including a reverse ramp for six.
England international Luke Wood came out breathing fire and brimstone in a fearsome opening spell for the Stars.
He blasted out Josh Brown (four) and Marnus Labuschagne (one) in his opening two overs. Matt Renshaw ran himself out for seven and Khawaja (24) departed before Hain and Peirson took over.
– AAP
