Brisbane Heat‘s mad meltdown goes beyond a choke

Brisbane’s finals aspirations took a massive blow last night in the biggest 10 wicket collapse in BBL history at the Gabba.

Brisbane’s finals aspirations took a massive blow last night in the biggest 10 wicket collapse in BBL history at the Gabba last night.

Not even an 84-run opening partnership between Sam Heazlett (56 from 37) and Chris Lynn (41 off 15) could help the bash-or-bust Brisbane side to a crucial win at home.

Two horror batting collapses saw the Heat lose 10 wickets in 36 runs, to be bowled all out for 120 runs in front of 27,524 fans.

Renegades captain Dan Christian dismisses Ben Cutting. Pictures: AAP

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting blasted the dismal Heat side, describing it as “one of the all time great chokes” in the Channel 7 commentary panel.

He was backed by former Brisbane Heat batter Brendon McCullum, who told viewers, “You can’t coach stupidity.”

With just three games left until the finals, Brisbane’s batting woes will need to be addressed.

The impending return of run-scoring machine Marnus Labuschagne from Australia’s one-day international tour of India will have Heat bosses salivating, with the right-hander available to be called upon to pad up at the Gabba for Thursday’s clash with the Sydney Sixers.

A.B. de Villiers of the Heat is clean bowled for two by Cameron Boyce of the Renegades. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

It will be a superstar showdown with Labuschagne’s Test partner and mentor Steve Smith also in the frame to line up for his Sydney club.

The dynamic duo may well be rested following their three-game ODI in the subcontinent but the Heat will be desperate to have the skillset of Labuschagne in the teal on Thursday night.

Lynn (41 off 15) and Heazlett (56 from 37) lit up the Gabba during the powerplay, smashing 75 runs in the opening six overs.

They then got out to 0/84 after eight overs before the worst batting collapse in BBL history put a dampener on the Heat’s finals chances.

Brisbane seemed to survive their first batting collapse – three wickets in the space of five balls – with Heazlett looking likely to steady the ship.

However, once he fell in the 12th over, so too did the rest of the Brisbane batting line-up.

It was even a forgettable evening for international superstar A.B. de Villiers who dropped a catch and was bowled out for two runs.

Brisbane were looking to make amends for their 10-wicket loss to the Strikers in Adelaide on Friday night and keep their finals hopes alive.

With just three games left until the finals, tonight shapes as a crucial match for Brisbane – who sit sixth on the ladder.

The revamped finals schedule for the 2019-20 KFC Big Bash will see the top five teams advance through to the finals and a win for Brisbane tonight can improve their finals’ hopes.