McDermott's fine form continues as Hurricanes subdue Heat
He was denied another hundred but Hurricanes still cruised to an eight-wicket win over a depleted Heat
AAP
08-Jan-2022
Ben McDermott plays powerfully through the off side • Getty Images
Hobart Hurricanes 145 for 2 (McDermott 93, Prestwidge 2-37) beat Brisbane Heat 144 for 8 (Pfeffer 69, Lamichhane 2-23) by eight wickets
Leading run-scorer of the season Ben McDermott was denied another hundred but Hobart Hurricanes still cruised to an eight-wicket win over a depleted Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.
McDermott was hoping to become the first player to notch four BBL career tons - and a third this season - but fell agonisingly short when he went for 93 off 61 balls as Hobart reeled in their target of 145 with 16 balls to spare.
McDermott hit 10 fours and two sixes, dominating a 117-run second-wicket stand with stand-in skipper Peter Handscomb as fourth-placed Hurricanes snapped a two-game losing run. He didn't have it all his own way, dropped on 51 off debutant spinner Patrick Dooley, one of a raft of replacements called up by Brisbane after 12 players tested positive for Covid-19 during the week.
Still, Hurricanes made short work of a new-look Heat despite being without captain Matthew Wade, who will sit out the BBL indefinitely for personal reasons.
Fifth-placed Heat suffered their fourth loss in five games but at least registered a Bash Boost point by ensuring Hurricanes didn't reach their mid-innings target of 73, as they restricted the visitors to 1 for 68 off 10 overs.
Earlier, unheralded call-up Lachlan Pfeffer hit a fighting 69 to lead Heat to 8 for 144 after being sent in by the visitors. The 30-year-old Pfeffer's 51-ball knock included six fours and three sixes.
Pfeffer has a Queensland contract but played the last of his six Sheffield Shield games two years ago and has only registered a solitary one-day game for his state, back in 2018.
The wicketkeeper-batter still looked like an old pro at No. 3 in just his third T20 game after his midweek call-up, combining with Will Prestwidge (21 off seven balls) to help Heat post a competitive target.
Another late call-up Jack Wood - an electrician who played one match for the Heat last season - was the only other batter to reach double figures, hitting 12 off 13 balls.
Mitchell Owen took 2 for 25 but also had two chances go down including Pfeffer on 44 while spinner Sandeep Lamichhane also impressed.
Heat next take on Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Wednesday. Hurricanes will face Sydney Thunder at the MCG on Monday, starting three double-headers in Victoria to be held to make up games lost through Covid-19 outbreaks.
Only Wednesday's postponed clash between Brisbane and the Sydney Sixers is still to be made up in the revamped schedule. The game was postponed after a dozen Heat players tested positive and they were unable to make up the required 13-strong squad.