NATHAN McSweeney played a key role as Brisbane Heat successfully chased down the Adelaide Strikers’ 6-174 in their clash at The Gabba last night. Coming in at first drop, the axed Test batter served a reminder of his talent as he guided the chase expertly to finish unbeaten on 78 (49).

McSweeney accelerated in the back half of his knock, taking over from the aggressive Matthew Renshaw (54 off 27) after the pair put on 66 runs for the third wicket. Adelaide stole the momentum with Renshaw’s calamitous dismissal, but McSweeney snatched it back during the Power Surge.

Belting Henry Thornton for four boundaries to bring up his half-century, the Heat lynchpin dragged the required total down to 39 off 24. While wickets opened the door for the Strikers, McSweeney’s ability to find the rope meant even if he didn’t farm the strike late on, the Heat would amass the winning runs.

With just five runs left to make off the final over, Liam Scott could not have done much better with ball in hand. He prised the wicket of Xavier Bartlett and took the result down to the very last delivery, but Mitch Swepson‘s chip over the infield got the job done for Brisbane.

The Heat were in trouble early after Thornton (2-43) bowled both openers in the Power Play. Jimmy Peirson was first to go after attempting a ramp, before returning captain Colin Munro was skittled. The latter dismissal saw Thornton make amends for dropping the dangerman in the previous over.

Lloyd Pope (2-17) ended up being the pick of the Strikers’ bowlers but was only entrusted with three overs. Along with he, Scott and Thornton, skipper Matt Short (1-36) and Jamie Overton (1-32) got in the wickets column but could not steer their side to a second win of the season.

Earlier, the Strikers were sent in to bat and also lost both their openers – both Shorts – within the Power Play. Englishman Ollie Pope (34 off 29) ended said period with two boundaries, and combined with Chris Lynn (24 off 21) for an innings-high partnership of 39 off 32.

A successful Power Surge (0-24) straight after drinks helped the visitors lift their run rate, though Pope went shortly after and brought Jamie Overton to the crease. The allrounder ran out Alex Ross, but shook off a blow to the arm to top-score with 45* off 24 deliveries.

A handy cameo of 23 off 11 from James Bazley also helped the Strikers surge to a defendable total, having hit 62 runs from their final 4.2 overs after the Ross runout. It proved only slightly below par, with Adelaide now laying claim to a 1-2 record.

The Strikers will Next be in action on December 27 when they host the Hobart Hurricanes at Adelaide Oval. Meanwhile, the 2-0 Heat travel over to Perth to take on the Scorchers in what shapes as a bumper fixture on Boxing Day.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Brisbane Heat won by three wickets
POTM: Nathan McSweeney (Brisbane Heat)
BAT FLIP: Brisbane Heat won and elected to bowl

Adelaide Strikers 6-174 (20)
Jamie Overton 45* (24), Ollie Pope 34 (29), Chris Lynn 24 (21)
Will Prestwidge 2-16 (2), Paul Walter 1-26 (3), Tom Whitney 1-27 (3)

Brisbane Heat 7-175 (20)
Nathan McSweeney 78* (49), Matthew Renshaw 54 (27), Paul Walter 19 (15)
Lloyd Pope 2-17 (3), Henry Thornton 2-43 (4), Liam Scott 1-23 (3)

INNINGS BREAKDOWN:

Power Play (1-4):
Strikers: 2-29
Heat: 2-26

Halfway (10):
Strikers: 3-63
Heat: 3-87

Power Surge:
Strikers (11-12): 3-63 to 3-87 (0-24)
Heat (15-16): 4-114 to 4-136 (0-22)

Totals:
Strikers: 6-174 (20)
Heat: 7-175 (20)

SQUADS

Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro (c), Jimmy Peirson (wk), Nathan McSweeney, Matthew Renshaw, Max Bryant, Paul Walter, Xavier Bartlett, Will Prestwidge, Tom Whitney, Mitch Swepson, Matt Kuhnemann

Adelaide Strikers: Matt Short (c), D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Ollie Pope (wk), Alex Ross, Jamie Overton, Liam Scott, James Bazley, Henry Thornton, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope