Usman Khawaja might have gained a title with the Sydney Thunder, however he confirmed no mercy in a bone-crunching 94 from 55 to sink his former facet in a rain-effected Eliminator at Sydney Showground.
The Brisbane Heat regarded miles behind the sport on the first drinks break however discovered their mojo as they flicked on the jets, torching greater than 140 runs from the final 10 overs as Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne rampaged.
Labuschagne did his finest to mimic ‘big brother’ and Sydney Sixers star Steve Smith with an aesthetic 73 from 48 to drive the nail into the Thunder’s coffin.
David Warner (36n.o) made the very best begin he’s had since getting back from nationwide responsibility, however rain spoiled the competition because the Heat acquired residence by eight runs on DLS.
The Thunder made a daring name earlier than a ball was even bowled, deciding on 28-year-old debutant fast Ross Pawson, but it surely backfired spectacularly as Khawaja pushed his again in opposition to the wall.
His first supply went to the rope earlier than Khawaja hit two extra boundaries to take 15 off the over.
It acquired Josh Brown overexcited as he tried to take down Chris Green (2-29) on the different finish, caught at deep-mid on for 3.
Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne took a measured method to put the platform after the Power Play.
Khawaja was given a life with Alex Ross unable to carry onto a sizzling likelihood within the deep.
Pawson’s second over was met with disdain as Khawaja seized the second to offer his facet momentum.
The over launched the shackles on the artful Queenslander, who freed his arms together with his 360-degree stroke play to perfection.
His intent turned harmful as he smote Nathan McAndrew down the bottom because the partnership raced to 101 from 68 deliveries.
The Thunder acquired a elevate as Khawaja nicked off six wanting the ton, however Matthew Renshaw picked up from the place his skipper left off with two maximums and a 4 from his first 4 deliveries.
He added one other six on his fifth at hand Usman Qadir (0-50) a bowling half century.
Green eliminated Renshaw earlier than getting a warning from the umpire after a back-and-forth with the Test batter.
Labuschagne confirmed his class in a robust closing over to assist the Heat rack up the best whole ever struck on the Showgrounds, 5-203.
David Warner regarded like giving the overall a run when he nailed a pull shot within the first over and regarded on from then on.
He took down the quicks as they adopted an analogous sample to the Heat.
Matt Gilkes was devastated after nailing a pull shot to sq. leg, however the rain started within the seventh over and curtailed any hopes Sydney had.
They have been off the bottom for over 40 minutes, leaving simply 13 deliveries remaining for the house facet to chase an inconceivable 38 runs.
But they didn’t even get that likelihood because the heavens opened once more because the covers have been eliminated.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
