Cutting cheers on Heat as team battles for BBL finals spot
DESPITE a call-up to the Australian one-day squad for Friday's clash against Sri Lanka, Brisbane Heat all-rounder Ben Cutting will be watching his Big Bash side closely as it tries to keep its finals hopes alive.
The task looks unlikely - after Monday night's five-wicket loss to the Sixers, the Heat needs to beat the Hurricanes on Saturday night at Blundstone Arena in what is a must-win equation for both teams.
It will also need other results to go its way - the Heat had its hopes pinned on the last-placed and winless Sydney Thunder upsetting the Melbourne Stars last night.
The Brisbane outfit (3-4) will also hope either the Scorchers or Strikers (both 4-3) can win big from that match tomorrow night, to damage its opposition's net run rate.
The Heat did beat the Strikers in a round-two thriller, but that will be irrelevant if both teams finish on the same amount of wins - net run rate will decide which team will progress to next week's finals.
"We need to win down there and win big," Cutting said.
"I'll be watching very closely with how the boys prepare this week and how they go into the game, and then watching the game on Saturday night down at Hobart.
Heat batsman Luke Pomersbach tipped the Thunder's explosive Chris Gayle to finally go off and get a big score against the Stars, in order to help out his team.
"They're due (the Thunder)," he said.
"I reckon big Gayle force is going to come good."
