BBL 2025-26: Strikers bowlers set up easy win over hapless Heat

The Adelaide Strikers hosted the Brisbane Heat for Match 17 of the Big Bash League 2025-26 at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, December 31. The home team won the toss and elected to field first.

The Strikers' decision started to prove right as the Heat suffered an early blow in the form of Colin Munro (4 off 6). Lachlan Hearne (2 off 3) failed, too, as he became Jamie Overton's first victim. The innings was lacking flow as the visitors ended the first powerplay at 17/2.

There was more misery in store for Brisbane as they lost three more wickets for four more runs. Notably, Matt Renshaw (6 off 10) was run out by a scintillating direct hit from Chris Lynn which threw the innings in complete disarray. The Heat top five were dismissed in single digits as the scoreboard read 21/5 after six overs.

Hugh Weibgen and wicketkeeper-batter Jimmy Peirson resurrected the innings to some extent, but it was not looking enough at the halfway mark (46/5). Peirson (13 off 12) fell soon after as new man, captain Xavier Bartlett, played a handy cameo of 19 runs off 10 balls.

The lower order provided a much-needed boost to the Heat innings. Matthew Kuhnemann (31* off 22) and Weibgen (28 off 33) formed a crucial 36-run partnership which helped the visitors reach 121 all out in 19.4 overs. For the Strikers, Overton was the highest wicket-taker ending up with figures of 3/19 from four overs.

Skipper Matthew Short and Chris Lynn began the pursuit of 122 in all earnestness. Lynn was the aggressor of the two as he showcased his typical power hitting. The right-hander showed the Heat batters that the wicket was not a difficult one to bat on as he tonked his way towards a half century.

Short succumbed to debutant Oli Patterson, but there was nothing to worry about for the Strikers. Lynn reached his fifty off 30 balls as the home team looked set to conquer the target in quick time. Wicketkeeper-batter Mackenzie Harvey added 11 runs to the score while Jerrssis Wadia failed (1 off 2).

Liam Scott (7* off 5) came to the middle next, but he did not have to do much. Lynn  continued on his merry ways as the Strikers won the match with seven wickets in hand and 35 balls remaining. The 35-year-old remained 79 not out off 41 balls, hitting six fours and sixes each.

The Heat bowling was nothing much to talk about. Scott, for his figures of 4-0-12-2, was adjudged the Player of the Match. After the result of today's match, the Strikers are fourth on the points table while the Heat occupy the fifth place.