In a heart-stopping finish at the Gabba, debutant Brisbane Heat fast bowler Tom Balkin held his nerve in a pressure-cooker final over to secure a dramatic seven-run victory over the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League on Saturday night.
Heat's Roller-Coaster Ride to Victory
The match was a genuine thriller, with momentum swinging violently in the closing stages. The Heat, batting first, posted a competitive total of 179 runs, powered by a blistering 63 off just 32 balls from opener Max Bryant. The home side's innings was anchored after the in-form Matthew Renshaw (33 off 22) fell to the bowling of Strikers skipper Matt Short, who impressed with figures of 2-13 from his three overs.
In reply, the Adelaide Strikers appeared to be cruising towards their target of 180, thanks largely to a commanding 63 from 39 deliveries by their captain, Matt Short. The game seemed to slip completely from the Heat's grasp when second-gamer Jerrssis Wadia launched a stunning assault, smashing three sixes and a four from his first four balls to leave the visitors needing a very manageable 36 runs from the final 30 deliveries.
Balkin's Dream Debut in the Spotlight
The match turned on its head in a breathtaking collapse. The Heat's bowlers sparked a remarkable fightback, taking 5 wickets for just 16 runs across the final three overs. The drama intensified when star Heat recruit Shaheen Afridi limped from the field with a bruised knee, forcing a change of plan for the crucial 20th over.
Into the breach stepped 21-year-old Tom Balkin, handed the ball for his first-ever over in the BBL. The rookie, wearing the number 95 as a tribute to his childhood favourite, Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars, showed incredible composure. Hitting speeds over 145km/h, he had Hassan Ali caught from his very first ball. He then cleverly outfoxed Harry Nielsen with slower deliveries before claiming his wicket with the second-last ball of the innings to seal the win.
"(My heart rate was) very high all night, to be honest," Balkin admitted after the game. The former Australian under-19 paceman, who overcame a stress fracture in his shin during the offseason, added, "Just to be back on the field is great; it feels like longer than nine months."
Key Performances and Aftermath
While Balkin stole the show at the death, Heat captain Xavier Bartlett was named Player of the Match for his excellent bowling spell of 3-26, which included the pivotal wicket of Matt Short. Australian spinner Matt Kuhnemann was also miserly, conceding no boundaries in his four overs for figures of 1-23.
The victory lifts the Brisbane Heat's record to two wins and two losses for the tournament, while the Adelaide Strikers fell to one win and two defeats. The Heat did suffer another injury concern, with import Tom Alsop hurting his knee while batting and unable to field.
Praising his young bowler, captain Xavier Bartlett said, "As a young captain in those moments there's a lot of senior heads to calm you down, but I thought Tom Balkin on debut was unbelievable, to close it out. He's going to be a really good bowler for us."
