Nathan McSweeney made an emphatic return after his exclusion from the Test squad, leading Brisbane Heat to a thrilling last-ball victory over the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL).
McSweeney's unbeaten 78 demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience, guiding the Heat to chase down a target of 175 for a three-wicket win at the Gabba.
The 25-year-old, who had described himself as "devastated" after being dropped from Australia's Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, delivered a match-winning knock under immense pressure.
The chase ended dramatically, with spinner Mitchell Swepson hitting the final ball from Liam Scott for a single to seal the win.
McSweeney, who had faced criticism for his struggles against India's Jasprit Bumrah during the Test series, rose to the occasion.
He excelled during the power surge, scoring 16 runs off Henry Thornton's over and following it up with a six against Matthew Short.
His efforts were met with thunderous applause from the 23,681 fans in attendance.
Initially playing second fiddle to Matt Renshaw, McSweeney turned the tide after Renshaw's scintillating knock of 54 off 27 balls.
Renshaw exhibited elite form with precise placement and powerful strokes, including three sixes and a series of exquisite cuts and drives. His dismissal, via a self-inflicted ricochet off a Lloyd Pope delivery, ended a crucial 66-run partnership with McSweeney.
Batting first, the Adelaide Strikers posted 174 for 6, thanks to contributions from their English stars Jamie Overton and Lloyd Pope.
Overton, unbeaten on 45 off 24 balls, used his immense power to punish the Heat bowlers in the death overs, hitting three sixes.
Pope added 34 off 29 balls, starting aggressively with consecutive boundaries off rookie seamer Tom Whitney before falling to McSweeney in the outfield.
Strikers opener D’Arcy Short was dismissed early by Heat pacer Xavier Bartlett, who also accounted for former Gabba favorite Chris Lynn.
Lynn managed 24 runs, including his 209th BBL six, but fell short attempting another maximum.
Will Prestwidge, the 22-year-old Heat pacer, impressed with figures of 2 for 16, claiming the crucial scalps of Lynn and Pope.
Bartlett also shone, giving the Heat an ideal start with the ball.