The Sydney Thunder’s dismal BBL campaign has crashed from bad to worse with captain David Warner suffering a knee injury in a comprehensive seven-wicket loss to the Brisbane Heat.<\/p>\n
Warner’s 82 steered the Thunder to 6-180 at the Gabba on Saturday before fellow 39-year-old and retired Test great Usman Khawaja stroked 78 to steer the Heat home with 22 deliveries remaining.<\/p>\n
Warner was unable to field after being hit flush on his left knee, which was unprotected as he crouched low while attempting to sweep Xavier Bartlett.<\/p>\n
Chris Green captained in Warner’s absence throughout Brisbane’s innings.<\/p>\n
Heat skipper Khawaja, who signed off as a Test player two days ago, switched effortlessly to white-ball mode, sharing in a 93-run third-wicket stand with Matt Renshaw (42no).<\/p>\n
When Khawaja succumbed with the finish line in sight he received a standing ovation from the Brisbane crowd, as much for his fine innings as his entire 88-Test journey.<\/p>\n
Khawaja officially retired from Test cricket after Australia clinched the Ashes series 4-1 with victory at the SCG on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The popular veteran admitted he was overcome with emotion in the lead-up to and during his final Test innings.<\/p>\n
“I was trying to act cool, but this whole Test I’ve struggled to contain my emotions,” Khawaja said after Thursday’s victory.<\/p>\n
“I found it really hard to concentrate, really hard to get into rhythm.”<\/p>\n
There were no signs of nerves at the Gabba on Saturday, with Khawaja helping himself to seven fours and three sixes in his 48-ball masterclass.<\/p>\n
Khawaja was playing his 72nd BBL match and he has shown a real liking for the format, having scored two centuries and 14 half-centuries at a strike-rate of more than 130.<\/p>\n
Earlier Jack Wildermuth laid a raucous foundation, taking Wes Agar down for three sixes and a four in the third over.<\/p>\n
Wildermuth’s whirlwind cameo ended on 39 off 15 balls thanks to a superb diving outfield catch from Tanveer Sangha.<\/p>\n
Agar’s nightmare continued when he dropped a sitter to reprieve Nathan McSweeney first ball.<\/p>\n
It didn’t prove too costly, McSweeney sweeping Chris Green down David Willey’s throat for 12.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Warner continued his purple patch after starting the New Year with an unbeaten 130 and 67 not out.<\/p>\n