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Heat happy to bypass Perth for BBL final

3 minute read

Brisbane Heat are threatening to snatch the Big Bash League title as they eye a fourth straight must-win game, which has been shifted from Perth to Canberra.

DARREN LEHMANN Australian coach looks on during the One Day International Series between Australia and England at MCG in Melbourne, Australia.
DARREN LEHMANN Australian coach looks on during the One Day International Series between Australia and England at MCG in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Brisbane Heat batsman Sam Heazlett admits Perth's lockdown has worked in his Big Bash League club's favour for multiple reasons.

The Heat started their final game of the regular season needing five consecutive wins to secure the BBL title.

Darren Lehmann's side defeated Perth at Adelaide Oval to secure their spot in the finals, then trumped Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder in elimination finals.

Brisbane should now have been heading to Perth's Optus Stadium for another knock-out final, on Thursday night.

But Perth Scorchers have instead been ordered to stay put in Canberra because of the COVID-19 case in their home city.

The Heat boast momentum but also strong recent form at Manuka Oval, having toppled the Thunder in Sunday's topsy-turvy clash that Heazlett iced with a match-winning 74 not out.

In sharp contrast, the Scorchers suffered a humbling nine-wicket loss to Sydney Sixers in their final at the same ground.

"It's good to stay here. Coming off a win here gives us some confidence," Heazlett told reporters.

"It's a massive result. Very handy, it's a long plane trip.

"Getting a little bit of extra recovery time (will help) and we can hit a few balls, come up with some pretty good plans.

"We played Perth recently and got up but they'll come harder, have better plans this game and we'll have to be right on our game because they're a great outfit."

Heazlett was pleasantly surprised by the level of support for Brisbane on Sunday night.

"The fans were pretty vocal and got behind us a lot, it was great," he said.

Regarding the prospect of posting five wins on the trot, Heazlett conceded the scenario had been "pretty daunting" at the start of Brisbane's push for their second title.

"It's always tough from fourth or fifth. You know you're up against it but you can play with freedom," the 25-year-old said.

"But we really thought if we made the finals - if we got to fourth, fifth or whatever - we'd go all the way.

"So as soon as we got that (finals spot), that gave us a lot of confidence and we're really hitting our straps."

Thunder captain Callum Ferguson noted the Heat had momentum and would have a "real chance" of upsetting Perth in Canberra.

"They've got some match-winners," Ferguson said.

"We all have to remember the other two sides in the comp were top for a reason.

"But they played these conditions (at Manuka Oval) well."

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