Blues win on last ball

New South Wales has claimed its maiden KFC Big Bash title in a thrilling finish to deny a gallant Victorian outfit a fourth-consecutive crown at ANZ Stadium.

Chasing 167 for victory after Rob Quiney earlier blasted 91 from 56 deliveries, the Blues needed 10 runs from the final over.

The hosts appeared to have victory in hand with three balls to spare before Shane Harwood (2-27) bowled Dominic Thornely (27 off 25) to breathe new life into the contest.

Wicketkeeper Daniel Smith joined man-of-the-match Ben Rohrer at the crease needing a further two runs for the win.

Smith levelled the scores with a quick single to leave the match in Rohrer's hands, and despite failing to connect, both men made their ground to claim a five-wicket victory.

The Blues finished at 5-167 with Rohrer's superb 44 off 20 deliveries proving the difference.

In his first game back from a hip injury, young-gun Phillip Hughes set the tone striking two boundaries from the first over of the run-chase.

Star Kiwi recruit Brendon McCullum chimed in with an early boundary but his stay was short lived when he feathered an edge to Crosthwaite to give Harwood his first wicket.

Hughes continued the early onslaught as he and Katich took the attack to the visitors to leave the Blues well placed at the 10-over mark.

The Bushrangers turned to spin at both ends and Bryce McGain (2-32) did the job for his skipper removing Katich (37 off 24) and Moises Henriques (one) in quick succession to put the visitors back in the contest.

Skipper Andrew McDonald (0-28) played a vital role as Victoria took the upper hand before Rohrer and Thornely picked up the pace with Rohrer particularly dangerous striking four sixes to steal the match from the visitors.

Quiney's blistering knock put Victoria in a strong position at the halfway stage, he blasted eight sixes and four boundaries to lead the Bushrangers to an imposing 4-166 from their 20 overs.

The Blues were on top early having removed Aidan Blizzard, Mathew Wade and Chris Rogers cheaply.

But their joy was short lived as McDonald and Quiney put on 98 runs for the fourth wicket to take the upper hand.

McDonald remained unbeaten on 30 off 29 deliveries while Adam Crosthwaite made a rapid 13 off seven balls at the death.

Aaron Bird starred with the ball for the hosts returning impressive figures of 3-21, while Doug Bollinger (1-31) and Mark Cameron (0-34) bowled well without reward.

Quiney hammered the first six of the night off Cameron in the second over but was forced to play conservatively as the wickets tumbled.

But the dangerous lefty exploded shortly after reaching his half-century dispatching the Blues attack to all parts of the ground in a brilliant display of power hitting.

Quiney's knock came to an end when he miscued a delivery from Bird that jumped off the pitch to Bollinger who took a great running catch.

Victoria innings
Quiney c Bollinger b Bird 91 (56)
Blizzard c Katich b Bollinger 7 (8)
Wade c Henriques b Bird 8 (12)
Rogers c Rohrer b Bird 8 (12)
McDonald not out 30 (29)
Crosthwaite not out 13 (7)
Extras: 13 (4b, lb6, w3)

Total: 166 (4 wickets; 20 overs)

FOW: 1-15, 2-40, 3-53, 4-151

Bowling
Bollinger 4 - 0 -31 - 1
Cameron 4 - 0 - 34 - 0
Bird 4- 0 -21 - 3 (1w)
Thornely 2 - 0- -12 - 0
O'Keefe 3 - 0 -28 - 0 (1w)
Henriques 3 - 0 - 30 - 0 (1w)

New South Wales innings
McCullum c Crosthwaite b Harwood 10 (11)
Hughes b Nannes 43 (32)
Katich c Quiney b McGain 37 (24)
Thornely b Harwood 27 (24)
Rohrer not out 44 (20)
Smith not out 1 (1)
Extras: 4 (b1, lb1, nb1, w1)

Total: 167 (5 wickets; 20 overs)

FOW: 1-25, 2-85, 3-92, 4-92, 5-165

Bowling
Nannes 4 - 0 -34 - 1
Harwood 4 - 0 -27 - 2 (1w)
McDonald 4 - 0 - 28- 0 (nb1)
McGain 4 - 0 - 32 - 2
Holland 3 - 0 -31 - 0
Quiney 1 - 0 - 13 - 0