The 57th T20 Eliminator match of the Big Bash League was fought between Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers at The Gabba Stadium in Brisbane on 29 Jan 2021. After winning the toss, the Strikers decided to bat first. Alex Carey and Jake Weatherald were sent to open for Adelaide. Xavier Bartlett got the new ball to open the attack for the Heat.
The strikers opening pair played very slow and safely at the beginning and had made 24 runs at a 6.00 run rate at the end of the first Powerplay. Alex Carey was not looking comfortable with his bat and lost his wicket at the score of 45 runs. He was struggling and made just 13 runs from 22 balls. Jake Weatherald with Travis Head tried to handle the situation but Weatherald was also run out by Labuschagne and Peirson. Afterward, Labuschagne and Swepson had destroyed the top order completely and did not give Adelaide a chance to survive. Finally, the Strikers could put only 130 runs on the scoreboard. The target was not very big for the Heat as they needed only 131 runs from 120 balls at the run rate of 6.5 only. Labuschagne and Swepson performed well and took 5 wickets total.
Chirs Lynn and Joe Denly came to chase the target. Michael Neser got the new ball to stop them. The start was also not good for Brisbane and had lost 3 wickets at a total of 23 runs only. But Joe Denly and Jimmy Peirson handled the situation very well and as the target was not so big, the Heat achieved the target in 18.5 overs. Jimmy Peirson played well and struck unbeaten 47 runs from 44 balls.
Brisbane Heat won the Eliminator match of Big Bash League 2020-21 by 6 wickets with 7 balls left. Jimmy Peirson got the Man of the Match title.
Stats - Adelaide Strikers vs Brisbane Heat Head to Head