Neser’s beautiful all-round present secures Brisbane Heat residence Qualifier last

Brisbane Heat 191 for six (Neser 64*, Labuschagne 45) beat Perth Scorchers 168 for 9 (Evans 51) by 23 runs

There was a lot at stake within the top-of-the desk conflict with Heat locking in a house qualifying last on the Gold Coast on January 19, whereas two-time defending champions Scorchers had been unable to wrap up a finals berth.

Neser was unstoppable with 64 off 30 balls at No. 7 as Heat smashed 100 runs off the final 47 balls.

The groups will renew their rivalry on Saturday at Optus Stadium.

Unbeaten Heat had been the shape workforce of the competitors, however confronted a litmus check in opposition to Scorchers who had received the previous six matches between the groups.

Having battled on robust Test surfaces in opposition to Pakistan, Khawaja relished the batting-friendly situations to bludgeon three boundaries within the first over off fast Jhye Richardson.

On a flat floor, Behrendorff cleverly blended his speeds however Richardson erred by bowling too quick and he was dispatched by Labuschagne for a trio of boundaries.

Left-arm wrist spinner Hamish McKenzie was chosen over veteran seamer Andrew Tye on account of Heat’s slew of left-handed batters. He got here on within the sixth over as Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw aimed to construct a partnership.

But Renshaw, who was chosen in Australia’s Test squad in opposition to West Indies, couldn’t get going and he fell to left-arm spinner Ashton Agar on 18.

Heat had been additional derailed two balls after drinks when Labuschagne nicked off for 45 to fast Lance Morris. Rather farcically Labuschagne was on the fallacious finish on resumption and may have been on strike as a substitute of Billings, who then took a single off the primary ball.

The batters struggled to choose McKenzie, who continued a powerful debut BBL season having pushed by way of a again harm. He mixed nicely with Agar, who was coming off the exceptional figures of two for six from 4 overs in opposition to Sydney Thunder.

But Neser ignited Heat with three consecutive boundaries off Morris earlier than Billings took over with lusty hitting after the facility surge was taken late within the innings.

Showcasing his ever bettering batting, Neser smashed his first BBL half-century as he pummelled the beforehand miserly Behrendorff for 3 sixes within the final over to carry Heat to a complete that had appeared nicely past them.

Neser then dented Scorchers’ quick begin in reply with the wicket of opener Zak Crawley within the third over. It was Crawley’s last BBL look earlier than he heads off to England’s tour of India.

The strain fell on Aaron Hardie and Inglis, who bat nicely collectively. But Inglis needed to take the lead when Hardie holed out on for 14 and he attacked by way of the off-side.

But Neser’s beautiful catch operating again to the boundary to dismiss Inglis within the energy surge gave Heat a stranglehold.

Evans tried to supply a late twist as he unfurled strokes just like his latest 28-ball 85 in opposition to Adelaide Strikers. Batting deep within the crease, Evans powered to a half-century off 27 balls however ran out of help as Heat clinched a pivotal victory.