LEWIS Gregory claimed two catches to help Brisbane Heat advance past Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League play-offs on Friday.

The Somerset all-rounder also bowled one over (0-6) but was not needed to bat as the Heat won by seven wickets.

This play-off pitted the teams who had finished fourth and fifth in the regular season against one another, with the loser being eliminated from the tournament.

The Strikers won the toss and opted to bat first, putting 45 runs on the board before losing their first wicket.

But wickets began falling on a regular basis after that, with Gregory taking catches off the bowling of Marnus Labuschagne (3-13) to account for Travis Head and Philip Salt.

When ex-Somerset overseas player Matt Renshaw (9) fell, it was 97-4, and the Strikers could only post 130-7 from their 20 overs.

However, that low target looked a tough one for the Heat as they slipped to 23-3, only for Joe Denly (41) and Jimmy Peirson (47*) to fire them to victory in 18.5 overs.

The Heat will now play Sydney Thunder in 'The Knockout' on Sunday (8.15am UK time), with the winner of that match moving to within one match of a place in next Saturday's final.

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TOM Banton, meanwhile, opened his Abu Dhabi T10 account with a bang, hitting 45 off just 18 balls for Qalanders.

Chasing Pune Devils' 107-2, the Somerset batsman smashed four fours and four sixes in his brief but brutal innings.

That left Sharjeel Khan (28*) and Sohail Akhtar (33*) to complete a nine-wicket victory for Qalanders, with 17 balls remaining.

Somerset captain Tom Abell was not selected for Delhi Bulls as they won their opening match by seven wickets against Bangla Tigers yesterday, and he is not included in the team taking on Maratha Arabians today.

Delhi Bulls are back in action tomorrow, against Northern Warriors (4.30pm UK time), as are Qalanders - who play Chris Gayle's Team Abu Dhabi at 2.15pm.