Brisbane Heat defeated the Adelaide Strikers by three wickets and stayed atop the Big Bash League points table. Jamie Overton’s blazing 45 was nullified by Nathan McSweeney’s match-winning 78* and Matt Renshaw’s 54 as the Heat sealed a last-ball thriller at the Gabba, Brisbane on Sunday.
Winning the toss and choosing to field first worked well for the Brisbane Heat as the Short duo failed to perform inside the powerplay. However, Chris Lynn’s 24 and Ollie Pope’s 34 stabilised the stage followed by Alex Ross’ 15-ball 20 and Jamie Overton’s magnificent 24-ball 45* pulled the Strikers out of scrutiny. James Bazley assisted Overton during the slog overs with his 23 runs cameo propelling the visitors to 174/6 in 20 overs.
In response, Henry Thornton was viscous with the new ball and cleaned up the openers – Colin Munro and Jimmy Pierson – inside the powerplay. However, Nathan McSweeney bounced back following his poor returns against India in the ongoing Test series with Matt Renshaw doing his damage from one end. The duo powered the hosts to 85/3 from 19/2 before Renshaw fell after scoring a fifty at a 200-strike rate. Soon, Max Bryant fell in the twelfth over before Paul Walter played anchor to McSweeney’s sensational strokeplay, adding 55 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Walter was dismissed caught, and bowled by Matt Short in the 17th over with the score reading 150/5 in 17 overs. With 26 needed off the last three overs, the hosts extracted 20 runs off the next couple of overs with run-a-ball required off the last over. A dot and a wicket followed before Mitchell Swepson gave the strike back to McSweeney, needing four off three. A couple of runs followed against Liam Scott before a single each came off the last couple of balls as the Heat beat Strikers in the enthralling encounter.
“He’s nearly hit the stumps with his leg!”
Bit happening here… #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/R8AOzUho54— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 22, 2024
Pretty impressive mental resilience from McSweeney tonight. Would’ve just gone through one of the most disappointing & challenging 72 hours of his career and yet he delivers this performance. Take a bow 👏
Spoke brilliantly earlier tonight too. Class act pic.twitter.com/yjzbckErgS— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) December 22, 2024
Super quality
It makes you think
Nathan McSweeney is his last innings: 78*(49)
Sam Konstas in his last innings: 0(3)
Makes you think…— Rivaan Athwal (@rivaanathwal31) December 22, 2024
That’s a nice way to show the selectors you’ve got what it takes from Nathan McSweeney!
Mature knock! 👏🏻— John Donohoe (@jdonohoe12) December 22, 2024
So happy
Onya
Onya Nathan McSweeney! #BBL14
— Drew Semmens (@drewie_5) December 22, 2024
Nathan McSweeney with a brilliant innings to win the match for the Heat #BBL #BBL14
— Paul Persic (@Paul_Persic97) December 22, 2024
Take a bow
What a game
And Brisbane Heat get home. Barely. What a game. Awesome entertainment. And incredible character shown by Nathan McSweeney tonight at the Gabba #BBL14
— Ash (@Tenash921) December 22, 2024
