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The Melbourne Renegades have scored a five-wicket win over a depleted Brisbane Heat outfit in Geelong to post their second successive Big Bash League victory.
Jake Lehmann flew into Melbourne at 2pm, arrived in Geelong at four and was being coached by his dad for the first time by six.
It's been a whirlwind 24 hours for Lehmann, one of eight debutants for the COVID-ravaged Brisbane Heat as they fielded a scratch side against the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.
The Renegades predictably won Thursday night's match in Geelong by five wickets with five overs left, but Lehmann and fellow South Australian David Grant made the most of the opportunity.
Playing his first game in the tournament for nearly three years, Lehmann hit his highest BBL score of 65 as the Heat made 6-128 from 20 overs.
Grant, in his BBL debut, then snared 3-20 from four overs as the Renegades cruised to 5-129 in 15 overs.
Melbourne lost four cheap wickets as they rushed to wrap up the win and boost their poor run rate, climbing to fifth on the ladder at Brisbane's expense.
Brisbane could not field a team on Wednesday night against the Sydney Sixers and they scrambled to assemble a lineup for Geelong.
"Twenty four hours ago, if you told me I'd be opening the batting in Geelong, I'd be laughing at you," Lehmann said.
"I've always wanted to get back into the Big Bash and I guess COVID has given me that opportunity.
"It didn't end the way I liked at the Strikers ... I always felt like I had more to give.
"Hopefully, I can do that at the Heat, for the next couple of games anyway."
Lehmann's father Darren took over coaching duties, with Wade Seccombe among the Heat personnel sidelined because of COVID-19.
They have 12 players isolating after positive tests.
While father and son talk regularly about the game, it was the first time Darren had coached Jake at any level of cricket.
"It is a little bit funny when he's standing right there and I guess you don't call him 'Dad' out here. You call him Boof or something like that," Jake said of his father's nickname.
Shaun Marsh made short work of the depleted Heat attack, belting 57 from 35 balls to pace the Renegades innings.
The Renegades also beat a COVID-hit Melbourne Stars lineup earlier this week and Marsh had mixed feelings about the situation.
He and Lehmann confirmed talk that the BBL will soon set up a Victorian Hub to ensure the competition can be completed, with Australia's Covid surge having a major impact.
"You certainly feel for the Brisbane Heat ... they competed really well," Marsh said.
He was asked if the BBL games should go ahead with so many players unavailable.
"I haven't got an answer, really - at the moment, we're playing," he said.
"It's really sad to see what's going on, not only with Big Bash but all around Australia - everyone is really battling."
No other Brisbane player managed more than 15 as Kane Richardson, Zahir Khan and Mohammad Nabi took two wickets piece.
Nabi closed out the innings superbly, conceding only two runs in the final over.
Marsh and Renegades captain Aaron Finch (37) put on 96 for the second wicket.
