Perth Scorchers’ miracle run chase in last year’s Big Bash League final is front of mind for Brisbane Heat ahead of their second straight decider, according to captain Nathan McSweeney.
And McSweeney feels the Heat are positioned for a Scorchers-like run at multiple titles with a core of Queensland-bred talent.
The Heat take on the Sixers in Wednesday’s final, 12 months after the championship was ripped away from them by unlikely Perth heroes Cooper Connolly and Nick Hobson in front of a record Optus Stadium crowd.
That time around, the Heat stormed into finals, but led the pack for much of this season.
Eight of the Brisbane players from their five-wicket final defeat last season were also involved in Monday night’s blitz of Adelaide Strikers to roll into the final.
“I think a lot of the boys playing tomorrow would have played last year in that final,” McSweeney said.
“Obviously being so close and losing in a close one hurts and it hurts for a long time.
“It is definitely in our minds. I think it has carried its weight throughout the year.
“We have really been focused throughout, we prepared well, we know what it takes to get there and we are there now.
But the surprise Heat skipper, who replaced Colin Munro when he left mid-season, said he wasn’t a subscriber to the adage you need to lose a final to win one.
“No, not really. My Dad used to say that and I have lost a couple of finals now throughout the last couple of years, so hopefully I’m due to be on the right side of one,” McSweeney, whose South Australian team was beaten by WA in last year’s Marsh Cup final, said.
New South Wales-born Tasmanian batter Charlie Wakim, South Australian Spencer Johnson and English import Paul Walter are the only Heat players from Monday night’s victory who are not based in Queensland year-round.
“I think the list managers have done a terrific job keeping a core group of players who have played for a long time for the Brisbane Heat,” McSweeney said.
“Winning is fun, so it helps keeping everyone involved, so hopefully we can win a comp tomorrow night and I’m sure that will continue to keep a core group of players for a long time.”
In an interview with The West Australian, Australian legend Ricky Ponting called for the Heat to experiment with their batting order and throw Max Bryant to the top, partnering big-hitting Josh Brown.
“I think they should experiment a little bit going into the final,” the Channel 7 expert told The West Australian.
“I’d be throwing Max Bryant up the order, I think he has been wasted for them down at six in their middle-order.”
The Heat are hunting their first title since they defeated the Scorchers at the WACA Ground in BBL02.