Marnus Labuschagne came up with a hilarious reaction to taunt his Australia teammate Steve Smith after Brisbane Heat beat Sydney Sixers to book their place in the final of the ongoing Big Bash League.
Michael Neser starred with the bat as Brisbane Heat beat Sydney Sixers in a low-scoring thriller at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday (February 2).
Sydney Sixers won the toss and decided to bat first in the Challenger final. The decision, however, was proved wrong by Brisbane Heat. Matt Kuhnemann, who stepped up in the absence of India-bound leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, led the charge with the ball to help the Heat restrict the Sixers to a modest total of 116 for 9.
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He picked up 3 wickets for just 17 runs off his 4 overs, his best figures in the shortest format of the game. Spencer Johnson also picked up 3 wickets for 28 runs while Neser claimed 2 wickets.
Sixers were comfortably placed at 43 for 1 after 6 overs before Kuhnemann dismissed Josh Philippe on the very first ball of his spell. From thereon, the Sixers kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were reeling at 76 for 5 at one stage. They eventually huffed and puffed to 116 for 9 in the allotted 20 overs.
In reply, the Heat were off to a good start with openers Sam Heazlett and Josh Brown adding 31 runs in quick time before the former’s run-out triggered a collapse. In no time, the Heat lost 4 more wickets to find themselves reeling at 56 for 5 in the 11th over.
It looked all over for them at that stage but Neser had other plans. Batting at number 7, Neser played an unbeaten knock of 48 from 32 balls to guide Heat to a sensational win.
Marnus Labuschagne celebrates Heat’s win:
Marnus Labuschagne posted a hilarious celebration video from his hotel room following Heat’s win. He was watching the match along with Steve Smith and some of his other teammates. The Australian squad is currently in India for the upcoming Test series.
Before coming to India, Labuschagne had played for Heat while Smith had plied his trade for Sixers where he had smashed two back-to-back centuries. And as soon as Heat crossed the finishing line, Labuschagne decided to have some fun at Smith’s expense.
Labuschagne roared loudly before he playfully tried to hug Smith. Smith, however, was not amused by the celebration as he pushed his teammate away before hilariously trying to punch him.
Here is a clip of the incident:
Marnus Labuschagne and the crew are happy about @HeatBBL's win! ?
(via @marnus3cricket's Insta) #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/re8iUHUEpS
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 2, 2023