Roach and Brisbane pummel Hobart to reach semis

HOBART, Tasmania,  CMC – Kemar Roach’s Brisbane Heat booked their spot in the Australian Big Bash semi-finals on Saturday with a crushing eight-wicket win over Hobart Hurricanes.

The West Indies fast bowler, however, went wicket-less as Brisbane, opting to bat first, were limited to 150 for three off their 20 overs at Bellerive Oval.

Jonathan Wells hit a top score of 40 not out, providing the late flourish in an unbroken 64-run fourth wicket stand off 42 balls with Englishman Owais Shah who got 32.

In reply, opener Luke Pomersbach blasted 82 off 42 balls, dominating a 107-run, second wicket stand with Joe Burns (41 not out) that propelled Brisbane to their target with over six overs remaining.

With the victory, Brisbane clinched fourth place in the standings and the last remaining place in the final four. They will face Marlon Samuels’s Melbourne Renegades in the first semi-final on Tuesday with Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars contesting Wednesday’s second semi-final.

Samuels is injured and is out for the rest of the campaign.