Brisbane Heat prevail in thrilling Sydney Sixers clash

Superb hitting, eye-catching fielding and drama dominate the New Year's Day clash at The Gabba which sees Heat collect just their second win of the competition

Brisbane: Brisbane Heat 224-5, Sydney Sixers 209 - Brisbane Heat won by 15 runs

Scorecard

Brisbane Heat survived a late Sydney Sixers comeback to start 2023 with a bang at The Gabba.

The hosts set 225 to win after 84 from Nathan McSweeney and a blistering 62 from Josh Brown off just 23 balls.

They put on 73 in 5.3 overs and though limited to just a single boundary from the final 16 deliveries appeared to have set an imposing target.

Needing upwards of 11 runs an over, the Sixers began well with Josh Philippe (27) and James Vince putting on 56 for the first wicket inside five overs.

^{Nathan McSweeney went on the attack (Russell Freeman/Getty Images)}

But a clatter of wickets in the middle - Moises Henriques (11), Dan Christian (11) and Ben Dwashuis (4) - quickly saw their hopes fade.

Michael Neser took 3 for 41 from his allocation but his most seismic contribution would still be to come.

Jordan Silk took James Bazely's final over for 18 but another forty-six were needed from 19 balls when Sean Abbot hit Neser over the rope for six.

Silk (41) struck another maximum to leave 26 needed and looked to have another when he hammered Mark Steketee over cover.

But Neser running around caught the ball on the run, threw it up, skipped over the boundary rope, threw it back into play and grabbed the loose ball.

^{Jordan Silk gave the Sixers late hope (Russell Freeman/Getty Images)}

It required a lengthy consultation of the technology to confirm the decision, which left Heat relieved and Silk exacerbated in equal measure.

Jackson Bird breathed new life into the chase with a boundary to leave the tailenders needed 18 off the last.

Ross Whiteley was thrown the ball for the final set and produced two wickets of Abbott (14) and Izharulhaq Naveed (1) to confirm victory.

The win is just the second of the Heat's 2022/23 campaign while the Sixers are third in the table after seeing their winning run come to an end.

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