The Big Bash League 2022/23 (BBL 12) is approaching the fag end of the tournament and the finals is slated on February 4, Saturday. That being said, on Thursday, Brisbane Heat faced off against Sydney Sixers in the Challenger match with the former clinching the win and making a cut to the summit clash which will be played against Perth Scorchers.
To add more, it was the Sixers who won the toss and elected to bat first on the day, only to lose wickets early on in the game. To add more, after making a confident call to bat first, the Australian allrounder Moises Henriques-led team looked clueless on the day and were restricted to 43/2 in 6.1 overs, which started the collapse of the team.
Barring Daniel Hughes who contributed 23 runs to the scoreboard, no other batter managed to cross the 20-run mark and with the middle-order crumbling like a pack of cards, the Sixers managed to put on 116 runs on the board at the end of the first innings, eventually losing 9 wickets along the course of the innings.
That was a tough game in the end: Michael Neser
It was Michael Neser who stood up for the team against the mighty Sixers on a crucial day with his two-for and unbeaten 48 which helped the team chase down the target with 4 wickets to spare. As far as the chase is concerned, it was a close one as the Heat lost wickets early on and it was Neser who pulled the team back into the game, eventually winning the game with 10 balls to spare. One could understand that the Sixers missed star batter Steve Smith who is in India to take part in the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
“Amazing! That was a tough game in the end, they are a class team. It was quite tricky to get the pace of the wicket, fortune favours the brave. Everyone’s contributed throughout the tournament and thankfully it was me this time. I thought that was the opportunity to take the game with the surge, took a punt and it worked out. We are peaking at the right time in the tournament. Anything can happen in the final. (On Perth Scorchers) They are a class team and are well-drilled, it is going to be tough no doubt but we are playing well,” Neser was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation.
Here’s how fans have reacted to the Challenger game between Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat:
We beat Sydney, we beat Melbourne,-” All the way to the final. What a comeback by the Brisbane heat.
— Daataar Singh (@Daataar_Singh) February 2, 2023
Brisbane Heat have done it finally they are in the final pic.twitter.com/7HfcmWOgLr
— Googly (@Googly808) February 2, 2023
its 2023 – brisbane heat knocking sydney sixers out of bbl. more surprises to come. will keep adding as and when things come.
— Marwadi (@gaitonde07) February 2, 2023
Some turnaround this by the Brisbane Heat.
— Kaushik (@CricKaushik_) February 2, 2023
Yes!!! Brisbane Heat into the final. Let’s go boys you can beat the scorchers. Bring on Saturday Night!!!
— Nicole Lindsell (@NicoleLindsell1) February 2, 2023
The Brisbane Heat have never lost to the Perth Scorchers in a @BBL grand final btw
— Jack ?? 7??6??ers nba champs ? (@jackbrlb22) February 2, 2023
Well done Brisbane Heat ??
— Judy Mitchener (@mitchener94) February 2, 2023
So it's Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat for the finals of the Big Bash League.
Michael Neser what a gem of an innings!!#BBL #MichaelNeser— Ayush Baid (@ayushdbaid) February 2, 2023
THE BRISBANE HEAT ARE THE GREATEST TEAM OF ALL TIME BABY
— brad n babaevsky (@depressedRTZfan) February 2, 2023
Wow guys. Brisbane Heat #in-cred-ib-le
— IJ (@sunnycoastblue) February 2, 2023
I simply cannot believe the brisbane heat are going to be in the grand final
— Anthony Colangelo (@anthonycolange) February 2, 2023
Up the brisbane heat
— Fred.W (@FredWoodgate_98) February 2, 2023
