Brisbane Heat beat Adelaide Strikers by three wickets in a thrilling encounter at The Gabba. Ninth encounter Big Boss League (BBL) 2024-25 Nathan McSweeney’s remarkable innings saw a mesmerizing display of cricket that led Brisbane Heat to a final victory.
Jamie Overton shines with the bat for Brisbane Heat
After winning the toss, Brisbane Heat elected to bowl first. Adelaide Strikers’ innings started on a shaky note, losing D’Arcy Short (1 for 3) early. Matthew Short (13 off 12) and Chris Lynn (24 off 21) tried to stabilize the innings, but consistent progress from the Brisbane Heat bowlers kept the visitors in check.
Ollie Pope (34 off 29) and Alex Ross (20 off 15) provided some resistance in the middle order, but Jamie Overton’s explosive 45 off 24 balls, laced with three fours and three sixes, got the batsmen moving. a their competitive total of 174/6 in 20 overs. James Bazley hit a quick-fire 23 off 11 balls, including two sixes, to give the Strikers momentum towards the end.
For Brisbane Heat, Will Prestwidge was an outstanding bowler picking up 2 wickets for just 16 runs in 2 overs. Tom Whitney (1/27) and Paul Walter (1/26) also took important wickets. Matthew Kuhnemann bowled an economical spell conceding just 30 runs in 4 overs despite remaining wicketless.
Nathan McSweeney leads the Brisbane Heat home
Chasing 175, Brisbane Heat’s top order crumbled early. Colin Munro (7 off 10) and Jimmy Peirson (8 off 6) fell cheaply to leave the hosts at 19/2. However, Nathan McSweeney played a magnificent knock, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 78 off 49 balls, hitting 10 fours and 2 sixes. He was well supported by Matt Renshaw who blasted 54 off 27 balls including 4 fours and 3 sixes. The duo’s 66-run partnership for the third wicket laid the foundation for the chase.
Adelaide Strikers struggled with quick wickets in the death overs. Lloyd Pope was brilliant with the ball, picking up 2 wickets for just 17 runs in 3 overs. Henry Thornton (2/43) and Liam Scott (1/23) also kept the pressure on.
SEE ALSO: Oliver Davies smashes Todd Murphy with powerful hat-trick of sixes in BBL 2024-25.
Needing 13 runs in the last two overs, Brisbane Heat stumbled but managed to pull through. McSweeney held his nerve in the final over to guide his team to victory, while Michael Swepson scored the winning runs.
Nathan McSweeney takes to the Gabba crowd like a bat
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— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 22, 2024
Nathan McSweeney’s heroic strike earned him the Man of the Match award. His composure under pressure and ability to find gaps at crucial moments made the difference for Brisbane Heat.
What an innings 👏👏👏 https://t.co/eO3z9denrR
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) December 22, 2024
