On January 24, Brisbane Heat won their second Big Bash League (BBL) title with a 54-run win over Sydney Sixers. While there were several contenders for the catch of the tournament, all-rounder Michael Neser saved his best fielding effort for the final.
In the 18th over of Sydney Sixers' run chase, Sean Abbott hit Xavier Bartlett over his head in an attempt to clear the boundary. Neser came running from long-on and took the catch but immediately knew that he would slide outside the boundary rope. Realising this, he flicked the ball to Paul Walter who completed the catch.
The replays showed that Neser was inches away from the boundary rope when he managed to get rid of the ball.
After Abbott's wicket, Bartlett dismissed Steve OKeefe for a golden duck as Brisbane Heat ended their 11-year wait for a title win.
Asked about the catch after the win, the 33-year-old said, “Was a reflex thing. Was running hard at the boundary. Then found I was in the periphery of the fence. and lobbed it away. We put in a lot of hard work. We thought long and hard where we missed out. Happy to be rewarded.”
Earlier Neser was dismissed by Abbott for a golden duck. Abbott took four wickets for 32 runs and helped Sydney Sixers restrict Brisbane Heat to 166/8 despite opener Josh Brown's century and Matt Renshaw's 22-ball 40.
Neser made up for it with the ball by getting the wicket of Daniel Hughes in the first over of the innings. He conceded 15 runs from two overs he bowled.
Apart from Bartlett, leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson took a couple of wickets as well. Left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson was outstanding in the final taking four wickets for 26 runs.
“Pretty special. We wanted to make amends after last year. Nice to contribute. Credit to the Sixers. They have been awesome. Credit to the bowlers and batters. Brisbane Heat has changed my life,” Johnson said in the post-match presentation after winning the ‘Player of the match’ award.
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