Jimmy Peirson: Heat lose cliffhanger vs Strikers despite highest ninth-wicket BBL partnership

Jimmy Peirson: The stand-in captain of Brisbane Heat scored an awe-inspiring fourth BBL half-century albeit in a losing cause.

During the 13th match of the ongoing 10th season of the Big Bash League between Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers, stand-in Brisbane Heat captain Jimmy Peirson’s fourth BBL half-century went in vain as the hosts lost the match by 2 runs.

Chasing a 151-run target, Heat got off to a below par start after losing half their side for just 37 runs in the ninth over. Coming in to bat at No. 7, Peirson witnessed three more batsmen getting out in quick succession as Heat were reduced to 68/8.

An unprecedented 60-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Peirson and Heat spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman (18), which became the highest-ever ninth-wicket stand in the BBL, stitched a rescue act which brought Heat in vicinity of a victory.

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Mujeeb’s departure in the 18th over was followed by Peirson and No. 11 Ben Laughlin playing an intelligent brand of cricket to reach the victory line. With the equation coming down to needing 7 runs off the last four balls, Peirson refused three consecutive singles in a bid to occupy the crease instead of Laughlin.

While the skipper’s strategy and intentions made sense, a last-ball boundary wasn’t enough for Heat to beat Strikers in BBL 10. Having scored an entertaining 69* (36) with the help of seven fours and two sixes, Peirson was declared the ‘Man of the Match’ at the Gabba.

Jimmy Peirson scored his fourth BBL half-century

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