Once again losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Heat looked right at home on their home turf. The Hurricanes tested out a new opening partnership of Ben McDermott with D’Arcy Short, but despite McDermott getting a lifeline by being dropped early, he failed to emulate his heroics of the previous game. His was the first wicket to fall – for 16 in the fourth over – and from there it was a tough innings with the bat for the Hurricanes.
Whilst the top six batters all got starts – including long-awaited ‘Canes debutant in Dawid Malan - no one could manage to transform this into a big score, with Short the top-scorer of the innings with 27 runs off 20 balls. In a somewhat surprising turn of events it was bowling all-rounder, James Faulkner, combining with 18-year-old leg spinner – also on debut - Wil Parker, for the Hurricanes highest partnership of the innings. The pair notched 35 runs between them, both finishing unbeaten on 26 and 12 respectively, and giving the Hurricanes a modest but achievable total to defend after reaching 7-148 in their allotted 20 overs.
Going with the theme of the evening, it was also a less-than-ideal start for the Hurricanes with the ball, as the Heat raced away to secure the Bash Boost bonus point within six overs and without the loss of a wicket. To literally add insult to injury, Faulkner came from the field midway through his second over and didn’t return. Reporting hamstring soreness, Faulkner will be assessed tomorrow before an accurate prognosis is made.
However, when Nathan Ellis got the breakthrough wicket of Heat opener, Max Bryant – who made a thrilling 31 off 19 – the momentum began to gradually shift in the Hurricanes’ favour. Not happy by his own standards with his performance with the bat, Short was magnificent with the ball. He took the wickets of Dan Lawrence (0 off 2), Sam Heazlett (48 off 27) and Tom Cooper (7 off 8) all within a five over period, including a spectacular caught-and-bowled to dismiss Cooper – a catch that was arguably one of the greatest reflex catches the competition has seen to date.
Finishing with figures of 3-18 off his four overs, Short gave the Hurricanes a real sniff, and when Riley Meredith chimed in to get the wickets of Jack Wildermuth (8 off 10) and Lewis Gregory (1 off 4) during his spell, one of the biggest turnarounds of the competition was genuinely on the cards. However, Heat Captain, Jimmy Perison combined with debutant, James Bazley, to steady the ship, with the pair putting on a 50-run partnership. They hit the winning runs with 14 balls remaining.
The Hurricanes will now re-group as they prepare to face the Heat again in just three days’ time. The match will again be held at the Gabba, with the first ball to be bowled on Wednesday 30 December at 6.15pm AEST (local time).