The former New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum was named man of the match as he helped the Brisbane Heat to a 10 run win in their Big Bash T20 match against the Adelaide Strikers.
Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Some pyrotechnics from the former Black Caps skipper and prodigious death hitting from Alex Ross propelled the Brisbane Heat to an imposing 206 for 5 batting first.
After a sedate start, Ross (64) smashed four late sixes to torment his old side, building on the electrifying foundation set by Heat keeper Jimmy Peirson (46) and skipper McCullum (42).
McCullum, who described the high, slowish bounce as tennis ball-y", was in a savage mood, cracking 34 off his first 11 balls.
He should have been run out on 35 and was grassed by Kane Richardson on 39 before West Indian Kieron Pollard (2-27) ended his innings.
The blistering 90-run opening-wicket stand by was snuffed out when Pollard had Peirson and McCullum off successive deliveries.
Pollard further shifted the momentum after his acrobatic catch at deep midwicket sent dangerman Chris Lynn (29) packing.
That momentarily slowed the scoring rate but Ross picked up the slack to give the Heat a formidable total.
In reply the Strikers were cruising at 133 without loss after 11 overs, but the Heat were superb bowling at the death as they claimed a 10 run win.
-AAP
