Debutant Tom Balkin has become Brisbane’s hero after claiming two final over wickets to seal the Heat’s win over Adelaide on Saturday night.
With teammate Shaheen Afridi off the field with injury, the 21-year-old Balkin had to step up and deliver as Adelaide needed 10 off the final six balls.
The only place to stream every match of the 2025/26 KFC BBL LIVE is on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Balkin’s two final over wickets ensured it was Brisbane who held on for a thrilling seven-run victory.
“This is the game that just keeps on giving,” Mike Hussey said on Fox Cricket.
“The Brisbane Heat have clawed their way to victory.
“Two wickets on debut in the last over… unbelievable performance.”
The result ensures the Heat jump into third spot on the BBL table after defending their 9-179.
“It’s been a crazy few days,” debutant Balkin told Fox Cricket.
“I’ve been coming here since I was really young – to play against guys like Chris Lynn … it’s a dream come true to be here.
“I got a little bit nervous after my first two overs not getting a wicket.”
Remarkably, it was Balkin’s first cricket game in more than nine months after battling a stress fracture in his leg.
“To come out here and play my first game… I’m still pretty shocked,” he said.
“It’s a hell of a feeling.”
Stand-in Brisbane skipper Xavier Bartlett claimed man of the match honours for his 3-26 in a spell that included the prized wickets of Matt Short (63 off 39) and Chris Lynn (22 off 24).
Skippering in Nathan McSweeney’s (ankle) absence, Bartlett was able to shake off a nasty blow suffered while batting that left him fuming at the Gabba.
Bartlett appeared to be hit above the thigh guard by a Jamie Overton full toss – but the delivery was deemed legal.
“It’s hit me in the stomach!” Bartlett could be heard yelling to the square leg umpire.
“Show him the bruise, X,” Fox Cricket commentator Brad Haddin joked.
The umpire appeared to state that the delivery dropped below waist height when contact was made.
But replays suggested the 119km/h delivery hit high.
“Ohhhh! He’s not happy,” Brendon Julian said.
“The umpire is just shaking his head.
“It would have hurt too!”
“If it was lower he wouldn’t be up!” Haddin added.
“It’s dropped him.
“That’s a no ball!”
After being sent in to bat, both openers Colin Munro (14) and Jack Wildermuth (1) fell in the powerplay to leave Brisbane 2-35 after four overs.
But Matt Renshaw (33 off 21) and Max Bryant (63 off 32 balls) steadied the ship for the Heat as they finished 9-179.
In reply, Matt Short played a lone hand for the Strikers as wickets tumbled around him.
And when he fell with just 16 balls remaining, so too went Adelaide’s chances.
The Strikers were all out for 172.
RENSHAW’S T20 PUSH ROLLS ON
Brisbane star Matt Renshaw continues to push his late T20 World Cup claim with a thrilling 21-ball knock against the Adelaide Strikers on Saturday.
Renshaw was at his brilliant best for 33, in an innings that included two fours and two big sixes – one that reached the upper deck at the Gabba.
“He’s just so confident in his game at the moment Matt Renshaw,” Brad Haddin said of Renshaw, who is now the BBL’s leading run scorer this season.
“(Getting out) is the last thing on his mind.”
But the star batsman’s only blemish came trying to take on Strikers skipper Matt Short.
WADIA’S FOUR-BALL BLITZ
The Strikers looked buried late in the contest at the Gabba after Jamie Overton fell for 10.
At 5-120, still needing 60 runs off just 35 balls, Adelaide needed a miracle.
In the space of four balls, Jerrssis Wadia completely lifted the visitors with his incredible striking against Jack Wildermuth.
Wadia went six, six, six, four and two in his first five balls to suddenly make the equation a winnable 36 off just 30.
Not even a body blow and then subsequent helmet strike which saw play halted for a medical check could slow Wadia.
But his brilliant late blitz wasn’t enough to secure Adelaide the win as the Strikers lost 5-16 in the space of 16 balls.
If you can’t see this blog, click here
SQUADS
Brisbane Heat: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tom Alsop, Tom Balkin, Xavier Bartlett (c), Max Bryant, Liam Haskett, Lachlan Hearne, Matthew Kuhnemann, Colin Munro, Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth
In: Oli Patterson Out: –
Adelaide Strikers: Hassan Ali, Mackenzie Harvey, Chris Lynn, Harry Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short (c), Henry Thornton, Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood
In: – Out: Alex Ross (omitted)