Home

Labuschagne lifts Heat's BBL finals push

Shayne HopeAAP
His Brisbane Heat teammates have loved having the enthusiastic Marnus Labuschagne back on board.
Camera IconHis Brisbane Heat teammates have loved having the enthusiastic Marnus Labuschagne back on board.

Marnus Labuschagne is the "cricket nuffy" Brisbane Heat needed on deck to breathe life back into their BBL campaign, captain Chris Lynn says.

Test batsman Labuschagne starred in a dual batting and bowling role, scoring 49 off 31 and taking 1-10 from two overs, as the Heat beat last-placed Melbourne Renegades by 26 runs on Saturday to keep their finals hopes alive.

A win over Perth Scorchers in Adelaide on Tuesday could yet be enough to lock in a top-five spot, though other results will have to go the Heat's way.

Regardless of the outcome, Lynn said Labuschagne's energy had been a welcome addition to the Heat line-up in two matches since his return from Test duty.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

"The bus ride (to Marvel Stadium on Saturday) was only 10 minutes and he managed to sit in four different seats," Lynn said.

"He's cricket-mad, we love that he's a cricket nuffy and we love having him around the group."

The Game AFL 2024

The Heat registered their second-highest total of the season against the Renegades (5-173) and heavy scoring has been a highlight at the back end of the BBL tournament.

Sydney Thunder smashed a record total of 5-232 on Friday, while Thunder batsman Alex Hales and Adelaide Strikers' Alex Carey hit the first two individual hundreds of the season on consecutive days.

Lynn expects the runs to continue flowing in the last few regular-season matches that will separate the finalists from the also-rans.

"Maybe guys are being a little bit more reckless and getting away with it or the wickets are just getting better and the batsmen are more comfortable ... I don't know," Lynn said.

"It's definitely good viewing and the standard set throughout the tournament now with the catching, batting and bowling has been exceptional."

Lynn tipped possible changes in personnel for his team's last regular-season match but was tight-lipped on what they would be.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails