By Ethan James
The Hobart Hurricanes have pulled off a remarkable two-run victory over the Brisbane Heat, only to fall short of making the Big Bash League finals.
The Heat were well on track to run down the Hurricanes’ modest total of 9-120, needing 16 runs from the final three overs in Launceston with five wickets in hand.
Heat top scorer Jimmy Peirson (39 from 37) fell to Nathan Ellis in an 18th over that went for four runs. Credit:Steve Bell/Getty Images
But the chase imploded, with top scorer Jimmy Peirson (39 from 37) falling to Nathan Ellis in an 18th over that went for four runs.
Hurricanes quick Joel Paris then got rid of Michael Neser in the next over and conceded just two.
Brisbane required 10 runs for victory off the final over, bowled by part-timer Tim David, but managed just seven despite a heaving maximum from Tim Bazley off the third-last ball.
Bazley needed a four off the final delivery to win the match but could squeeze only a single, leaving the Heat at 8-118.
The win lifted the Hurricanes to fifth on the ladder, but they were pushed down to sixth and out of the finals when the Sydney Thunder toppled the Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Wednesday night.
“What a game. We obviously took a risk bowling myself and Riley (Meredith) out early. We knew full well that Tim (David) was going to have to bowl the 20th (over),” Ellis, who took 2-26, told FoxCricket directly after the match.
“Fortunately it just came off. We got a couple of wickets at the right time. For Tim as a part-time off-spinner to do that. It was unbelievable.
“It was just one of those days when any time we came up with a plan it came off.”
Hurricanes skipper Matthew Wade slips while Heat keeper Jimmy Peirson attempts to stump.Credit:Getty images
The Heat missed a golden chance to secure third spot and hosting rights for ‘The Knockout’ final on Sunday.
They finished in fifth spot and will travel to Sydney for ‘The Eliminator’ against the Thunder on Friday night.
The Heat fell to 4-30 in the sixth over of the chase, before a 73-run partnership between Peirson and Sam Hain (26 from 34) ironed out a big chunk of the total.
The Hurricanes earlier wobbled to 9-120 after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.
Mac Wright was their sole lone spark with the bat on a tricky pitch, scoring a run-a-ball 56 in his first match of the summer.
Marnus Labuschagne pulled off two sharp outfield catches – a low diving effort to get rid of Ben McDermott (two from seven balls) and an overhead grab to remove danger man David (four from six).
Brisbane’s rookie left-arm quick Spencer Johnson (2-20 from four overs) was impressive early and at the death.
