Jake Fraser-McGurk delivered an impressive first BBL fifty. Yet, Brisbane Heat held on against Melbourne Renegades with Paul Walter’s brilliant all-round effort, producing an assured win at Marvel Stadium.
After Heat elected to bowl on a slow surface, Fraser-McGurk unleashed seven sixes in his 55 off 23 balls. At the same time, the Renegades were kept at bay by English import Walter, who collected 3 for 27 off four overs and held their opponents under control.
Renegades’ total appeared intimidating when Heat slumped to 45 for 3. Still, Matthew Renshaw and Sam Billings combined for an outstanding 72-run partnership before Walter finished it with some superb late hitting to score 30 off 15 balls as unbeaten Heat crossed the finish line with 11 deliveries remaining in hand.
Renegades remain winless and are likely disappointed that Fraser-McGurk failed to capitalize on his early fireworks.
Fraser-McGurk took complete control of Renegades’ first-half innings after opener Quinton de Kock was bowled by left-arm quick Spencer Johnson for seven runs off two overs for an early innings duck. His arrival allowed the Renegades’ innings to open in style.
Fraser-McGurk had yet to realize his full potential until this domestic season; now, though, his prodigious gifts have begun to shine brightly, with him becoming one of two fastest List-A century scorers ever and recording an F.C. century for good measure – underscoring his enormous potential across formats!
Fraser-McGurk had no difficulty counteracting Johnson, playing his inaugural match since being bought for an estimated AU$1.78 million by Gujarat Titans.
He scored 22 off six deliveries with three sixes to begin an explosive innings for Renegades, as their top order struggled on a slow surface. Fraser-McGurk seemed to bat on another pitch, handling seamer Michael Neser with ease before striking back against seamer Andrew Kersten with an ease that took out sixes off him with ease and swept for six.
Heat stand-in captain Colin Munro quickly turned to left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who was immediately hit for six over midwicket by Fraser-McGurk on his second delivery before legspinner Mitchell Swepson was also battered over deep midwicket as Fraser-McGurk achieved half-century off just 21 balls.
Fraser-McGurk was cheered on by Renegades fans and Australia World Cup hero Glenn Maxwell, who extolled Fraser-McGurk via social media.
Fraiser McGurk holed out before drinks off Walter’s first delivery, and Renegades gradually faded under its bowler’s spell, as Walter continued his successful start in this BBL draft by bowling inventive slower deliveries that proved hard for Renegades batters to score against. The Heat was happy when Walter surprised them in this draft selection with clever short deliveries, which proved hard for batters to achieve.
Fraser-McGurk also collected key wickets against veteran Aaron Finch and Will Sutherland of Renegades’ late order attack as Heat recovered quickly after Fraser-McGurk’s early burst.
Bu Heat’s work was partially finished as Jono Wells enjoyed an exciting late flurry, including hitting one off Johnson to reach 1 for 39 off four overs.
Heat got off to a promising start thanks to openers Josh Brown and Munro, with Munro smashing seamer Tom Rogers for an opening-over six in just 15 runs to set them on their way.
Afghanistan offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck back immediately by entering the attack with an inspired move, forcing Munro into an attempt at counteracting by moving his stance closer across the stumps – only for it to backfire and lead him down his wicket via Mujeeb’s successful review process. Munro eventually dismissed LBW shortly after that.
Brown quickly put away Kane Richardson’s first delivery and, further compounding their woes, Nathan McSweeney offered Mujeeb an easy return catch from their batters. Nathan McSweeney spooned one back for Mujeeb to take.
Batting appeared challenging early as Heat’s run rate skyrocketed, but Renshaw made his breakthrough in the eighth over by scoring consecutive boundaries off Nic Maddinson’s spinner.
Renshaw found good timing with Billings as they played intelligently by nudging the ball around and rotating their strike frequently. Sometimes, they’d risk when things were looking good, like when Billings hit Sutherland for six in the 12th over and reached 50 partnerships together.
The Heat appeared unbeatable until Maddinson turned desperately to Adam Zampa for support, who offered Renegades hope with an innings-saving dismissal – bowler Billings being removed for 40 in the 14th over.
Heat timed their power surge perfectly as Walter crushed Richardson for 20 runs in one game-altering over.
Walter continued his hot run against Zampa with an outstanding straight six, and Heat quickly sealed their third consecutive victory to start the year.