[ad_1]
Cricket’s favourite bat-maker Josh Brown launched a record 12 sixes into orbit over the Gold Coast during his spectacular 140 as he produced the second-fastest century in Big Bash history.
There were fireworks in the night sky throughout his 57-ball frenzy as the hosts earned a 54-run win, booking the Brisbane Heat (7-214) a spot in Wednesday’s BBL final against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.
Watch the BBL Finals live and ad break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
Test great Mark Waugh rated it “an innings of a lifetime for anyone” during his commentary on Fox Sports and no one disagreed as Brown pulverised 112 in boundaries to crush the Adelaide Strikers (160 all out).
Opener Brown once described himself as a “controlled slogger” yet there was only a sweet, brutal science to the way he launched front-foot pull shots over the fence, drove fast bowlers over the rope or blasted leg-spinner Cameron Boyce over wide mid-off for six.
Leggie Lloyd Pope was a 4-24 matchwinner against the Perth Scorchers two days earlier.
He had to be hidden from Brown’s blasts after 0-29 from two overs on the Gold Coast.
Talking to Fox Sports, Brown was humble as ever when explaining he had made a shrewd switch of bats.
“What an experience. I went back to a trusty faithful I made. It’s a cannon,” Brown said.
Heat coaching mentor Darren Lehmann and others had uncluttered Brown’s mind about how to deal with the Strikers’ spin threat.
“If a spinner comes on just try to hit them for six. See the ball, hit the ball,” Brown said of the advice.
Only the century off 39 balls by Perth Scorchers cult hero Craig Simmons in 2014 was faster than the kebab-loving Brown’s 41-ball sprint to a century at Heritage Bank Stadium.
Simmons was watching on TV and posted a classic tweet on X: “Reasonable ball striking from the little fella Brown, if he puts a bit more meat on them bones he might be able to get there next time #wellplayed.”
Brown did post the highest score in a BBL finals game and eclipsed Chris Lynn’s 49-ball century of 2015 as the fastest in Heat history.
What was remarkable was the transformation in Brown from Friday night when he could barely lay bat on ball. He scored a ragged 15 off 22 balls against the Sixers.
On Monday night, he was hoisting a six over square leg off the 22nd ball he faced to reach 50.
Everyone was soon asking about that bat which carries his nickname “Bison”.
It’s a Bison brand bat from Cooper Cricket where Brown is a bat-maker. They sell for $899 a pop before the custom features and stickers that Brown has added.
Big Bash organisers also have to tackle the ridiculous issue they have let fester, that of the Heat and Strikers playing in almost identical kits of blue-ish shirt and dark pants in this game.
There was little difference on TV or for a fan 120m away in the bleachers.
What was wrong with an alternative “away” strip of white with blue trims for the Strikers visiting Queensland? Fix this farce.
– by NCA Newswire
Originally published as Josh Brown’s epic knock leads Heat into Big Bash final
[ad_2]
Source link
