Strikers roll Heat for 154 in Big Bash

Steve Barrett | January 14, 2023

Harry Conway’s career-best T20 haul has powered the Adelaide Strikers into a strong position in their BBL clash with bottom-placed Brisbane Heat at Adelaide Oval.

Conway justified his selection ahead of fellow quick Henry Thornton by taking 3-36, including the key scalps of Test stars Marnus Labuschagne (46) and Usman Khawaja (two), to help knock the Heat over for 154 in scorching 39-degree heat on Saturday.

Conway clean bowled Brisbane captain Khawaja with a beauty early before Labuschagne, Josh Brown (26) and Matt Renshaw (25) all threatened to go big but were unable to capitalise on their promising starts.

Brown received a life on six when he was grassed by Adam Hose in the first over and Labuschagne survived a tough caught-and-bowled chance to Ben Manenti on 18, but neither proved as costly as initially feared.

The Heat were restricted to 8-68 across the innings’ back half after being well placed at 2-86 at the 10-over mark.

Their two-over power surge mustered just 3-12, Peter Siddle starting the rot when he skittled Jimmy Peirson with the first delivery before Wes Agar bowled six perfect yorkers, disturbing the timber of James Bazley and Spencer Johnson with his last two balls.

Siddle (2-24), Agar (2-27) and Cameron Boyce (2-29) proved tremendous foils for Conway in a fine bowling display from the home side.