Big Bash Daily: Thunder strike late to condemn Heat to second defeat

After two of their players potentially breached Covid-19 protocols over the weekend, Brisbane Heat were beaten by an onslaught from Sydney Thunder pair Daniel Sams and Ben Cutting

“Pathetic bowling, pathetic plans”

They were the words of Ricky Ponting, almost incredulous on commentary as Ben Laughlin became the latest bowler to feed the legside arc of Daniel Sams, who responded to Heat’s generosity by spanking 65 runs off just 25 balls – 10 more than he managed in the entirety of last season.

Seven sixes and three fours meant that 54 of those runs came in boundaries alone as part of a phenomenal, match-changing partnership with Ben Cutting. Cutting was facing his former side for the first time, having spoken out in not-altogether glowing terms about the management figures at the franchise where he remains the leading wicket-taker and second-highest run-scorer.

Together, Sams and Cutting put on 69 runs in 6.4 overs – an effort that swung a game that was, until that point, well beyond the reach of Shane Bond’s team.

When the New Zealander spoke during a mid-match interview, he admitted that Alex Ross was carrying a groin niggle and was just going to have a swing. At the time, it sounded almost defeatist, but it set the tone for what followed.

A collapse that began at the very top would almost certainly have derailed less able sides: Alex Hales and Callum Ferguson both fell without scoring in the first over and Usman Khawaja followed in the third. You won’t win many T20 games if you lose three wickets in the powerplay, according to statistics. And that appeared to ring true in Canberra as well, until Cutting and Sams took hold of the situation. With Sam Billings still to join Bond’s group, middle order depth is unlikely to be a problem.

By the end, it was carnage – the 179-run target reached with seven balls to spare. From a Heat perspective, the display stank of a lack of proper plans or, at the very least, a failure to execute them. Thunder took full advantage; and for Cutting, greeted at the crease with a volley of chatter from former teammate Chris Lynn, this would have felt particularly sweet.

^{Ben Cutting was in determined mood against his former club}

Daniel Sams benefiting from worldwide exposure

For Sams, this knock came on the back of an intriguing year. Since topping the Big Bash wicket-taking charts last year, he has been rewarded with an Indian Premier League deal under Ponting, as well as a place in Australia’s white-ball squads for their summer tour of England.

In truth, he contributed little on either adventure, having to settle for a watching brief for the most part. And in the build-up to this tournament, he found himself bowling in T20Is for his country at the death against Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya.

All of that, however, will have made him a better, more rounded cricketer – certainly Cutting believed as much when asked following his own dismissal.

Physical distancing

Following the news that Lynn and Dan Lawrence might potentially have breached Covid-19 protocols in Canberra over the weekend, it was announced – much to the relief of Heat – that the pair could still play their part against Thunder, while maintaining physical distancing at all times.

The duo have tested negative since the issue arose, but they had to warm up at a distance and were not allowed to join in any close huddles or wicket celebrations.

What it means going forward for the competition is intriguing, given the precedent set by the decision to let both players play, pending further investigation.

^{Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence are suspected to have breached Covid-19 protocols}

Heat improved by returning stars…but defeated once again

When Brisbane Heat were routinely dispatched by Melbourne Stars in their first game of the tournament, they looked nothing like the hard-hitting, high-scoring side of the past.

Gone permanently was Cutting, with Tom Banton withdrawing from the competition on account of bubble fatigue. His replacement, Joe Denly, had not yet been signed, while compatriot Lewis Gregory had only just arrived in the country. Mark Steketee, Jack Wildermuth, Joe Burns and Mitchell Swepson were on Australia A duty, with Marnus Labuschagne preparing to take on India, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was absent as he recovered from Covid-19 and Morne Morkel had an ankle problem.

Xavier Bartlett and Jack Wood both made Big Bash debuts, while both X-Factor substitutes – Connor Sully and James Bazley – were untried in the competition. The result? A team undercooked, well beaten and top-heavy.

The returns of Steketee, Wildermuth and Mujeeb, therefore, could not come soon enough. And it was hardly surprising that Darren Lehmann’s men looked far better for it. Lynn was freed up by the increased batting depth, while Wildermuth smashed 31 off 11 balls and took the wickets of Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson. They were defeated once more but this time with some encouraging signs, at least.

Gift a subscription to The Cricketer this Christmas and choose your free gift (a £20 John Lewis gift card or copy of Bob Willis: A Cricketer & A Gentleman). Subscribe here