Chaudhary's fifty in vain for Hurricanes as Heat win thriller
Written by I Dig SportsBrisbane Heat 132 for 7 (Munro 56, Jordan 3-19, Ellis 2-23) beat Hobart Hurricanes 116 for 9 (Chaudhary 55, Bartlett 3-30, Johnson 2-21) by one run via DLS method
Brisbane Heat have beaten Hobart Hurricanes by one run to remain undefeated and wrap up a BBL finals spot in a rain-interrupted low-scoring thriller at the Gabba.
The Hurricanes restricted the Heat to 132 for 7 but were soon 22 for 4 in reply. Rain forced the players off after 4.4 overs and the target was revised to 118 from 16 overs.
The Heat had the perfect start with the ball.
Michael Neser had Caleb Jewell (4) caught at third man in his first over. Player of the Match Xavier Bartlett (3-30) then dismissed Macalister Wright and Sam Hain for ducks with consecutive deliveries with both batters nicking superbly directed away cutters.
Corey Anderson (two) was cleaned up by a rampant Bartlett and the Hurricanes were on the ropes.
They finished on 116 for 9 after David and Chaudhary almost got them home.
After Ellis had won the bat flip, the Hurricanes' seamers contained the Heat well in the early overs on a Gabba pitch that had plenty of zip in it.
Riley Meredith, Ellis (2-23 off four) and England international Chris Jordan (3-19 off four) were all impressive. Jordan was in the zone and cleaned up Matt Renshaw (5) with a fast and straight ripper.
Munro took a while to find his timing but when he did it was worth the wait with the New Zealander taking 20 runs from spinner Chaudhary's second over, including two towering leg-side sixes.
The Heat moved to 14 points with the win and are now assured of a finals berth. The Hurricanes are fifth on six points, two points behind fourth-placed Melbourne Stars who have played one more game.