The Brisbane Heat's finals hopes went from luke warm to stone cold as the Adelaide Strikers registered a comprehensive 31-run victory in the Big Bash Twenty/20 cricket match at the Gabba.
Chasing 167 for victory to keep their slim finals hopes alive, the Heat (0-4) slumped to 70 for 6 after 10 overs before being bundled out for 135.
The Heat had some issues before the game even began with allrounder Roelof van de Merwe receiving a one-match suspension and a significant fine on Tuesday after a Queensland Cricket disciplinary hearing.
The South African international had been caught over the legal blood alcohol level limit in a roadside breath-test on New Year's Day - the day after his 27th birthday.
New Zealand international Daniel Vettori, van de Merwe and possibly skipper James Hopes (knee) return for the Heat's clash with the unbeaten Hobart Hurricanes on Friday but their team's finals hopes are done and dusted.
The Strikers (2-2 record) take on Perth Scorchers at the WACA on Sunday.
