BBL: Light failure at Gabba saves Brisbane Heat from defeat to Sydney Thunder

The Sydney Thunder are set to launch a Big Bash League appeal after a power outage saved Brisbane Heat from defeat at the Gabba on Thursday night.

Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn (left) and Sydney Thunder captain Shane Watson shake hands after their BBL clash was abandoned on Thursday night.

The Sydney Thunder are set to launch a Big Bash League appeal after a power outage saved Brisbane Heat from defeat at the Gabba on Thursday night.

The Heat escaped from a near-certain defeat with a draw after a blown light tower saw the match abandoned just three overs into Brisbane’s run chase against the Thunder.

While the match was declared a non-result, the Thunder are weighing up an appeal given they were in such a commanding position.

Queenslander Shane Watson set up Sydney’s massive 4-186 with his first BBL century, blasting 100 from 62 balls on his home pitch.

Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn (left) and Sydney Thunder captain Shane Watson shake hands after their BBL clash was abandoned on Thursday night.

The Heat’s “Bash Brothers” Chris Lynn (4) and Brendon McCullum (0) were back in the pavilion when play was suspended with Brisbane 2-10.

The lights still hadn’t come on after an hour delay when the match was abandoned two overs short of being an official contest.

“It’s enormously disappointing,” Thunder batsman Callum Ferguson said.

Fans at the Gabba use their phones to try to shed some light on the matter. Picture: John O'Brien

“We felt like we dominated for 23 overs then the lights go out.

“We’re hopeful we’ll get the full points out of the game but it’s hard to know at this stage. There will be a lot of water to go under the bridge.”

KIWIS AT WAR

Thunder coach Shane Bond and ex-Black Caps teammate Dan Vettori were at loggerheads on Thursday night.

Bond offered to only bowl spinners given three light towers were still functional and there was plenty of light on the field.

Listen: Our latest Cricket Unfiltered podcast is all about the Big Bash, with former Australian women’s captain Lisa Lisa Sthalekar joining the Herald Sun’s Sam Landsberger to discuss the state of the men’s and women’s Big Bash Leagues.

But Heat coach Vettori rejected the proposal, knowing Brisbane were in trouble and a draw was a much safer bet.

“We’ve said we’ll bowl only our spinners,” Bond said.

Sydney Thunder opener Shane Watson smashed his first BBL century on Thursday night. Picture: AAP

“We think it’s safe enough to play. Brisbane had to agree to it and they’ve said no.

“The lights are fine. We want to play a game of cricket.”

Vettori said the Heat wanted the conditions to be the same for each team.

“All we talk about is consistency,” he said.

“The umpires said the conditions weren’t good enough and that’s where we stand.

“They are in an incredibly good position and would like to play.

“Even though it’s only spin it’s still hard to see the ball. From our perspective it’s the viewing of the ball.”

Heat captain Lynn was honest in his summary.

“At 2-10 you can turn as many lights off as you want,” he said.

HOT AND COLD HEAT

The Heat are so inconsistent that they don’t deserve to be playing in the finals, but are still a chance.

After thrashing the Renegades by 101 runs on Sunday, the Heat returned home and were confident of producing another win.

But they instead dished up a terrible bowling performance and were never in the contest from then.

Heat debutant Jack Prestwidge appeals on Thursday night. Picture: Getty Images

Spinner Mitch Swepson was excellent against the Renegades but went for 11-an-over last night as Watson smashed him all over the Gabba.

Their most experienced bowler, Ben Cutting, finished with 2-41 from four overs and debutant Jack Prestwidge (0-14) was thrust into the deep end, opening the bowling.

“They’ve missed a quality fast bowler in the Heat side,” former Queensland star Andrew Symonds said.

“That’s been a bit of a weakness.”

WONDERFUL WATSON

The Australian Test team would kill for a player like Watson right now.

The former national star brought up his first BBL century in emphatic style on home turf, but wearing the opposition’s colours.

A product of Ipswich, Watson blasted 100 off 61 balls, including six sixes and eight fours, after being dropped on 33 by Bryant.

“It’s very good to be able to do it in front of my home crowd,” Watson said.

While he no longer bowls, Watson is still a world class player at 37 and was underappreciated during his polarising Test career.

Watson scored four Test centuries and 24 fifties while having a bowling average of 33.68 from 59 matches.

Australia can’t find a decent all-rounder at the moment and would love to have a player of Watson’s class.

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