Test reject Joe Burns finds form to guide Brisbane Heat to win over Sydney Thunder

Joe Burns couldn’t buy a run before Monday night, but the man axed from the Australian Test squad has finally found some form.

Joe Burns on his way to a half century off 35 balls as the Heat beat the Thunder

Joe Burns couldn’t buy a run before Monday night, but the man axed from the Australian Test squad has finally found some form.

Burns hit 52 off 38 balls including five fours and two sixes to guide the Brisbane Heat to a five-wicket win over the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba with five balls remaining. The Thunder scored 8-174 off their 20 overs, with Alex Hales top-scoring with 46.

While Burns’s 50 in the first Test against India had some believing he was back, it was much scratchier than his performance for the Heat.

He was hitting the ball crisply from the outset. With three fours in his first eight balls, Burns launched the ninth ball into the crowd.

The shot prompted commentator Brendan Julian to say: “Takes on mid on, beautifully played by Joe Burns, don’t worry about Test cricket — BBL’s coming your way.”

It took Burns to 20 off just nine balls and Brett Lee was ready to call it. “Burnsy’s back,” he said.

But he calmed down as the innings went on to guide the Heat home.

After a fragile middle order cost the Heat some wins earlier in the season, Burns could be the difference as the side move within three points of the top four with a win over the second placed Thunder.

Heat fans were thrilled by the performance as he brought up his 50 from 35 balls.

It was his first 50 in three BBL seasons and his fifth Big Bash 50 overall.

“Congratulations Joe Burns,” Brad Haddin said. “He came out with a game plan to show intent, he played smart cricket and he targeted that short boundary and he deserves 50. Now he deserves to ice the game for the Brisbane Heat. After what he’s had the last month, this is really, really good to see.”

Unfortunately he wasn’t there at the end to score the winning suns, hitting a late catch to Usman Khawaja. Jimmy Peirson and James Bazley saw the Heat home.