THAT’S THE CRICKET
BIG Bash cricket buzz is back on the Gold Coast with the first of two Brisbane Heat games tonight. Gold Coast trip Max Bryant, Xavier Bartlett and Matt Kuhnemann are part of the in-form team, now close to the top four. Heat captain Jimmy Peirson says they can't wait to pad up at Metricon Stadium, their home away from home: "We've got a bit of a roll on now."
THE in-form Brisbane Heat are urging Gold Coast fans to get behind two games at Metricon Stadium and support three local talents looking to continue a red-hot winning streak.
The Heat take on the Melbourne Stars on Thursday night before socking it to the Sydney Sixers on Sunday in key Big Bash clashes.
Both games are important for the Heat who have three victories this season and are only one win away from the top four. The Heat’s stand-in captain Jimmy Peirson, who has led Brisbane while Chris Lynn nursed a hamstring injury, said he was looking forward to returning to the club’s “home away from home” and taking on a “topheavy” Melbourne Stars.
“We’ve got a bit of a roll on now with two wins in a row,” he said.
“We’ve beaten the top three teams so far and the Stars are up there as well, so we’d like to knock them off.”
Gold Coast players Max Bryant and Xavier Bartlett have both been pivotal for their side at the start of the innings with bat and ball respectively.
Hard-hitting opener Bryant is the Heat’s leading run-scorer in Big Bash and has a strike rate just under 140.
Fast bowler Bartlett has eight wickets so far in the tournament with many of them coming in the first over of the innings.
Gold Coaster Matt Kuhnemann has been in and out of the side, giving a spin option and brilliance in the field.
GAME 1 Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars WHERE Metricon Stadium, Carrara
WHEN Thursday, January 7, 8.20pm. Gates open: 7pm
GAME 2 Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixes
WHERE Metricon Stadium, Carrara
WHEN Sunday, Jan 10, 6:15pm. Gates open: TBA
COST Kids, $8, adults, $22.