Englishman Ben Duckett has slammed his highest Big Bash League score to propel Brisbane Heat to a 39-run thrashing of Adelaide Strikers.

Duckett top scored with 78 from just 47 balls as Heat posted an imposing 7-208 at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

In reply, the Strikers made 8-169 and were never in the hunt after losing both opening batsmen in the initial nine balls.

Adelaide’s Jon Wells made a fighting 55 from 41 deliveries, but the Strikers remain in the mire with just one win from five games.

Heat looking pretty good tonight! 🔥 #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/WgJjpYWZ5U

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 23, 2021

But Heat made a massive move up the ladder, jumping from seventh to fourth spot with its second win.

Duckett’s blazing knock was instrumental in the victory.

He cracked 10 fours and two sixes and featured in superb partnership with Sam Heazlett (49 from 30 balls).

The pair added 114 runs in just under 11 overs before departing in consecutive balls from Adelaide’s star spinner Rashid Khan.

Rashid was denied his second BBL hat-trick and finished with 3-34, but the damage had been done by Duckett and Heazlett, who struck three sixes and three fours.

Two sixes from his first two balls!! #BBL11 pic.twitter.com/N3l4RKFYGk

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 23, 2021

The pair cashed in after a rapid start – their partnership started at 3-74 after seven overs.

Opener Max Bryant made 32 from 20 deliveries before being Rashid’s first victim, caught on the midwicket boundary, while Wes Agar (2-39) and captain Peter Siddle (2-42) both took multiple wickets.

Adelaide’s run chase stumbled early.

Opener Matt Short smacked two sixes from the first two balls, a two from the next, and then feathered an edge to wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson from spinner Matt Kuhnemann (3-47).

And on the ninth ball of Adelaide’s innings, Jake Weatherald was bowled by paceman Mark Steketee (3-27) in a horror start for the home side.

Wells and Matthew Renshaw (22 from 23 balls) steadied but after 10 overs the Strikers were 2-82 and well off the pace.

Renshaw was dismissed in the 12th over and Wells, who hit six fours and a six, was out in the 13th to sap all Adelaide momentum.

Tom Kelly made 27 from 22 balls and George Garton hit three sixes in his 19 from five deliveries but became Kuhnemann’s third victim, while Heat paceman James Bazley finished with 2-27.

-AAP