Big Bash Daily: Heat exact revenge, Scorchers qualify and the two sides of Marnus Labuschagne

Sydney Sixers were joined in the play-offs as Brisbane Heat kept their hopes of reaching the latter stages alive

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Heat complete revenge mission

Melbourne Renegades ended Brisbane Heat's hopes of qualifying for last year's play-off stage with victory in the final match of the group phase.

It ensured the teams finished seventh and eighth respectively, and the duo occupied those same positions again coming into Saturday's key encounter.

Defeat for Heat again and their hopes of qualifying would have been severely damaged. But thanks to a 26-run win at Docklands their fate is virtually all in their hands.

Chris Lynn and Marnus Labuschagne impressed in setting 174 to win before the lesser-known Mark Steketee produced a remarkable spell laden with wickets, dot-balls and boundaries which made up 20 of his 22 deliveries.

Mitchell Swepson has had a quiet summer in the Australia bubble and his return for Heat has not garnered much attention. But his 2-26 is a reminder of the depth now at Darren Lehmann's disposal.

Heat's fate is now largely in their own hands. They face the already qualified Perth Scorchers in their final game knowing they could finish on 29 points with a bonus-point win.

Should Adelaide Strikers or Hobart Hurricanes fail to take a full allocation from their last two games then Lehmann's side will be just a win away from a top-five place.

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Chris Lynn punches one through cover

Labuschagne continues fine summer

You might need to say it quietly, but Labuschagne can consider this summer a job well done. His efforts might not have secured a Test series win over India but it has been another fruitful period for the South African.

No player came within hundred runs of the 26-year-old in the series, who hit a century and two fifties across the four Tests. He was the outstanding batsman of the series, even if he didn't play the innings which would define it.

It is therefore of little surprise to see him slot into the Heat side and quickly rediscover his form. 

Labuschagnge is very much knocking on the door of the Australia T20 team. He scored an impressive century in an intra-squad warm-up game in England but was unused in the series. He still awaits his international debut in that particular format.

His 49 from 31 balls for Heat was a punchy, classy knock at just the right time. Helped by a sterling start from Lynn and Max Bryant there is something reassuring about his ability to stay calm while taking more risk.

Peter Hatzoglou was dispatched for three of his boundaries as Labuschagne got on the sweep against the quick spinner. The Renegades man soon got his revenge, however, as Labuschagne was caught at short fine leg.

Typically, Labuschagne then came good in the chase, dismissing danger man Sam Harper. You can never keep a good man down.

James Bazley: A success story in keeping faith

Scorchers progress

Scorchers completed a three-card trick against Melbourne Stars, securing qualification for the play-offs, going top of the table and completing an eighth group stage win of the campaign a MCG, all at the same time.

Fittingly, given the new regulations awarding a bonus point at the half-way point of the stage of the chase, Scorchers secured their play-off birth ahead of schedule.

Despite Nick Larkin's best efforts, Andrew Tye claimed two key wickets to add another three points and take them above Sixers to the summit of the table.

Victory over Heat in their final game will secure a top-two finish, taking them into the Qualifier and to within one game of the final.

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Alex Hales on his way to a fourth T20 century

Hales ignoring England speculation

Alex Hales sparked talk of an England recall with a century for Sydney Thunder as part of a record BBL total against Sixers on Friday.

The Notts man struck 110 as Thunder hit 232 for 5 - the highest total in their history.

It was another reminder as to the undoubted talent that Hales possess at this level.

Cast aside by England before the 2019 World Cup, any discussion of a recall has always been dismissed by captain Eoin Morgan, who is keen to retain a positive culture within the dressing room.

And it is clear Hales has no desire to return either.

"It was something I used to look at a lot, but I just want to focus on enjoying my cricket and contributing to winning teams," he said.

"If I get another crack at international level then great, and if not then I'm going to keep enjoying cricket. At the moment, I'm not thinking about it."

 

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