DESPITE looking down and out halfway through their innings, the Brisbane Heat flicked a switch in their final 10 overs at the crease to launch back into finals contention with a win over the Sydney Thunder in the BBL on Monday night.

The Thunder’s total of 173 was chased down in remarkable fashion, with Queenslanders Max Bryant and Matthew Renshaw forming a match-winning partnership to help the reigning champions avoid a fourth consecutive loss, which would have all but ended their chances of defending their title.

Brisbane looked in dire straits at the 10-over mark of its innings, sitting at 3/53 and requiring 120 runs from 60 balls. However, Bryant and Renshaw began conjuring boundaries on every other delivery, slashing the required run rate and eventually getting the Heat to victory and thwarting Sydney’s chances of a fourth straight win.

Bryant and Renshaw put on a 108-run partnership, smacking 16 boundaries and steering the ship to a remarkable victory and making life horrible for the Thunder’s bowling attack. Bryant finished the match with 72 from 35 deliveries, changing the game with his aggressive hitting at the crease, while Renshaw knocked an unbeaten 48 from 33.

Although Bryant was dismissed before he could finish the job, Michael Neser hit the winning runs in his return, sealing a remarkable win with seven balls to spare as the Gabba erupted. He was also Brisbane’s most economical bowler and looked impressive having overcome a hamstring injury.

In one of the most remarkable Big Bash stories in recent memory, Thunder assistant coach Dan Christian was thrust into an injury plagued lineup, and wound back the clock with a solid showing. The 41-year-old had a 23-run cameo that included two sixes, and was also tidy with ball in hand posting figures of 1/25.

Former test opener David Warner was also strong for the Thunder at the crease, notching a half-century from 36 deliveries in a vintage showing from one of Australia’s greatest ever bats.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Heat won by five wickets with seven balls remaining
POTM: Max Bryant (Brisbane Heat)
BAT FLIP: Heat won and elected to bowl

Sydney Thunder
David Warner 50 (36), Daniel Christian 23 (15)
Xavier Bartlett 3/39 (4), Michael Neser 2/25 (4)

Brisbane Heat
Max Bryant 72 (35), Matthew Renshaw 48 (33)
Lockie Ferguson 2/21 (4), Dan Christian 1/25 (4)

INNINGS BREAKDOWN:

Power Play (1-4):
Thunder: 1/31
Heat: 2/23

Halfway (10):
Thunder: 3/89
Heat: 3/53

Totals:
Thunder: 8/173 (20)
Heat: 5/174 (18.5)

SQUADS

Sydney Thunder: David Warner (c), Matthew Gilkes, Oliver Davies, Sam Billings (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Hugh Weibgen, Chris Green, Daniel Christian, Tom Andrews, Lockie Ferguson, Wes Agar

Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro (c), Jack Wood, Matthew Renshaw, Nathan McSweeney, Max Bryant, Tom Alsop (wk), Michael Neser, Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett, Mitch Swepson, Matt Kuhnemann

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