Ferguson fires as slick Thunder rolls lukewarm Heat

AN unbeaten half-century by captain Callum Ferguson lifted Sydney Thunder to a 29-run win over Brisbane Heat in yesterday’s Big Bash League season opener.

The 35-year-old got the first chance to wear the Golden Cap as the tournament’s leading run-scorer in the field after belting 73 not out off just 44 balls at the Gabba.

Ferguson’s innings helped the Thunder recover from 3-38 early in their innings to set a victory target of 173.

In reply, the Heat were dismissed for 143 off 19.2 overs.

Alex Ross (30 off 26) and Chris Green (25 off 17) provided support to Ferguson after their wobbly start.

Usman Khawaja also smacked 22 off 12 deliveries but was lucky to survive an LBW shout in the opening over which had reignited the debate about the unavailability of DRS at BBL matches.

Leg spinner Mitch Swepson was the pick of the bowlers for the Heat with 2-11 but surprisingly only bowled two overs in the Thunder’s innings. The Heat’s run chase began with an eventful first over.

English youngster Tom Banton’s first two scoring shots in the BBL were sixes off Daniel Sams (2-34). But the 21year-old’s brief cameo came to an end in the next over.

When Max Bryant (11) and captain Chris Lynn (9) also fell cheaply the home team was in trouble at 3-40.

Ben Cutting belted 28 off 18 balls including two big sixes off Sams, but the Thunder bowler had the last laugh, clean bowling the Heat allrounder to extinguish the host’s hopes.

The Heat will look to bounce back on Friday when they host Melbourne Stars on the Gold Coast while the Thunder play Melbourne Renegades in Geelong tomorrow.