06/01/2008 10:38 PM
Warriors spinner Aaron Heal has smashed a four off the final delivery to inspire Western Australia to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Queensland in their KFC Twenty20 Big Bash clash at the WACA Ground.
In reply to the Bulls' total of 9-154, the Warriors were cruising at 3-111 after 14 overs before the wickets tumbled and the nerves set it.
The contest came down to the final ball, with WA requiring two runs for victory and one run for a draw.
But Heal, who arrived at the crease after Theo Doropoulos was clean bowled, was cool as ice as he slashed Ashley Noffke to the rope for four to secure WA's second successive victory in the competition.
Shaun Marsh was another key figure in the victory, smashing 10 fours and a six on the way to a masterful 70 off 49 deliveries.
Earlier, Queensland slumped to 3-19 after winning the toss and electing to bat before fit-again Shane Watson led the recovery, striking seven fours and a six on the way to 51 runs from 30 deliveries.
Lee Carseldine (32 off 21) and Craig Philipson (21 off 22) also contributed handy totals to help lift Queensland to the competitive total, with paceman Brett Dorey (3-19) the star with the ball.
The Warriors made a subdued start to its run chase, compiling just 30 runs from the first five overs with Luke Ronchi (one) an early casualty.
Luke Pomersbach (22) caused a halt in the game when he launched Noffke for six and onto the top of a shade cloth roofing, with spectators unable to retrieve the ball for several minutes.
Adam Voges never looked comfortable at the crease and his stay was ended when he played James Hopes onto his stumps, but WA was still well placed at 3-95 in the 13th over.
But Marsh's departure - clean bowled by Carseldine - brought Queensland back into the match as WA crawled to 4-118 after 16 overs, still needing 37 runs from the final four overs to secure victory.
All of a sudden the runs had dried up, with David Bandy and Sean Ervine struggling to find the boundary.
But needing 28 runs from the final two overs, Bandy (34 not out from 27 balls) got into gear with a couple of big sixes before Heal sealed the nail-biting win with the final delivery of the night.
Watson backed up his sterling batting performance with figures of 1-24 with the ball, while Noffke (2-29) and Carseldine (2-13) also impressed.