ADELAIDE: Brisbane Heat’s batters, Ben Duckett and Sam Heazlett batted brilliantly and partnered strongly to help their side defeat Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) fixture, on Thursday.

Ducket and Heazlett’s strong partnership helped the Heat to post a massive total of 208 in their allotted 20 overs, Strikers in response could only score 168; losing the match by 40 runs.

Batting first, the Heat openers, could not provide a solid start to the team; losing the first wicket for just 10 runs. Chris Lynn was the batter who departed after scoring 10 off just five deliveries, smacking two boundaries. Soon after, the side lost their second wicket for just 34 runs, as Tom Cooper departed after scoring 16.

Max Bryant, too, dismissed after recording a brief partnership with Duckett, Bryant scored 32 off 20 balls; smashing five boundaries and a six. Heazlett then joined the party and posted a magnificent partnership of 114, along with Duckett. Heazlett played a brilliant inning, but, fell unlucky; missing his well-deserved half-century by just one run. He dismissed on 49, facing 30 balls, laced with three boundaries and as many sixes.

On the very next ball, Rashid Khan sent Duckett back to the pavilion, the batter top-scored with 78 off 47 balls; smashing 10 boundaries and two sixes. With little contributions from down the order, the Heat finished at 208/7 in 20 overs.

For the Strikers, Rashid bagged three wickets, while Wes Agar and Peter Siddle each claimed two wickets.

Chasing a mammoth, the Strikers struggled to get off to a good start; losing two wickets for just 17 runs. Jack Weatherald (1) dismissed, followed by Matthew Shot (14).

Matt Renshaw and Jonathan Wells then recorder an astonishing partnership; adding 61 runs into the team’s total. The pair appeared solid but, Renshaw dismissed after scoring just 22. Wells, on the other hand, kept going and went on to score his half-century. He top-scored with 55 off 41 balls, including six boundaries and a six.

Following Wells’ dismissal, none of their batters could able to go big at the depth. The Strikers, in the end, restricted to 168/8 in the allotted overs.

For Heat, Matthew Kuhnemann and Mark Steketee, each claimed three wickets. James Bazley, on the other hand, bagged two wickets.

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