Ricky Ponting calls out Hobart Hurricanes captain over final-over move in BBL loss

Ricky Ponting was left gobsmacked by the actions of Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis on Sunday night, after his side went down to the Brisbane Heat by one run in the BBL. Ellis was on strike for the final ball of the match, with the Hurricanes needing three to win and two to force a super-over.

But the Hurricanes skipper only managed to bunt the ball down the ground straight to mid-off for one run, meaning the Heat won by one under the DLS method. Ellis came to the crease in the final over when the Hurricanes needed five off the last three balls bowled by Paul Walter.

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In bizarre scenes, he opted to drop the ball and run an easy single off the first ball he faced, putting Pat Dooley on strike needing four off two. Dooley could only muster a single off the next ball, leaving it up to Ellis.

The skipper appeared to be handed a gift when Walter served up a full-toss, but Ellis only managed to hit it weakly down the ground for a single. He didn't even run the first one hard in the hope that they could somehow manage to scamper a second, even though it was highly unlikely to happen anyway.

Ponting, who is the head of strategy at the Hurricanes, was scathing of Ellis' tactics in the final over - questioning why he didn't look to be more expansive. "I'm still not sure what Nathan Ellis was doing," he said on Channel 7. "What was he thinking on the two balls that he faced in that last over? The last ball was a knee-high full toss that he basically blocked to mid-off inside the circle."

Brisbane Heat secure place in BBL finals

The Heat's win means they are still undefeated so far this season and have secured a spot in the BBL finals. The Hurricanes had restricted the Heat to 7-132 in the first innings, but were left reeling at 4-22 in reply.

Rain forced the players off the field after 4.4 overs, and the target was revised to 118 from 16 overs when play resumed. Nikhil Chaudhary blasted 55 off 38 balls for his first half-century in the BBL, and combined with Tim David (27 off 21) to put the Hurricanes on the cusp of victory.

But David fell to Spencer Johnson in the penultimate over, and Walter managed to snare the key scalp of Chaudhary in the last. Chaudhary smacked a six and two from the opening two deliveries of the final over, before Walter got him to top-edge a pull shot for an easy catch for wicket-keeper Sam Billings.

Heat captain Colin Munro had earlier top-scored with 56 from 47 deliveries as Ellis rotated his bowlers superbly to prevent the hosts from getting away. The Hurricanes seamers contained the Heat well in the early overs on a Gabba pitch that had plenty of zip and movement.

Riley Meredith (0-15 off four), Ellis (2-23) and England international Chris Jordan (3-19) were all impressive. Munro took a while to find his timing, before the New Zealander took 20 runs from Chaudhary's second over - including two towering leg side sixes.

The Heat moved to 14 points with the win and are now assured of a finals berth. They play the defending champion Perth Scorchers at home at the Gabba on Wednesday night and then away on Saturday.

Johnson said the loss to Perth in last year's final was motivating the Heat. "We would have liked a few more runs (against Hobart) but with the belief we have got in the team, we can win from anywhere," he told Fox Sports after Sunday night's win. "Last year going to Perth and losing the final really stung a few blokes. We have still got the fight to get back there (to the final) and go one better."

The Hurricanes are now fifth on six points after the loss. They are two points behind the fourth-placed Melbourne Stars, who have played one more game.

with AAP

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