Brisbane Heat desperate for redemption after ordinary first-up performance

Brisbane Heat is desperate to avoid back-to-back BBL losses on Wednesday night when it meets the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium.

Haunted by poor starts to seasons in recent years, the Heat again failed to lift for their first clash of their 2021-22 campaign on Monday night against Sydney Thunder.

Batting first at Manuka Oval, the Heat could only muster 8-140 from their 20 overs.

In reply, the Thunder reached their target of 141 in just 17.1 overs for the loss of only three wickets.

“We were probably 20 or 30 short than what we would have liked, but we kept hanging in there until the end,” Heat paceman Xavier Bartlett said in trying to find some positives from defeat.

Bartlett, who took 1-21 off 3.1 overs and contributed a handy 26 not out with the bat, said it was essential the Heat returned to winning ways in Perth.

“They’re a very strong side and play very well at home, so it’s a good challenge for us going over there and going in with a nothing-to-lose attitude,” he said.

“Hopefully, we can go one better next game. We definitely want to try to get some momentum going (before) a few home games in front of a home crowd.”

Bartlett’s plan is to “step up” this season after last season often bowling just one over at the start of an innings.

“This year I’m looking to take more of a load and bowl those four overs and really nail my stuff at the back end (of innings),” he said.

“I’ll definitely look to build my game and learn how to bowl at the back end when batters are going, and a strength of mine is to swing the ball, so I get to do that upfront.

“I’m just happy to contribute in any way, shape or form with bat or ball.

The Scorchers, who open their season against the Heat, won’t have the services of new recruit Tymal Mills, with the English paceman in quarantine.

“It’s always good to join in with a new group, make some new mates for the next couple of months and be successful,” Mills said.

“We all play cricket to win tournaments.”