Cricket world stunned by 'insane' scenes after Michael Neser hat-trick in BBL

Andre Russell has lit up the BBL with a blistering knock for the Melbourne Renegades, rescuing his side against the Brisbane Heat after Michael Neser claimed a stunning hat-trick. Neser recorded the ninth hat-trick in the competition's history, decimating the Renegades' top order as they chased 138 for victory in Geelong.

Neser claimed 4-32 in his first match in any format since being left out of the second Test between Australia and South Africa at the Gabba. The right-armer removed Sam Harper with the first ball of the Renegades' innings and then had Jake Fraser-McGurk caught behind at the end of the same over.

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Nic Maddinson then chopped on at the start of the third over and the hat-trick was complete when Neser cleaned up Jon Wells with a ball that was left and cannoned into the stumps. Neser came agonisingly close to registering the second double hat-trick in BBL history when the next ball went through Russell's defence and narrowly missed off-stump.

However a booming six from Russell that sailed out of the ground seemed to change the momentum, with umpires forced to change the ball as a result. Neser and the Heat bowlers didn't get the same sort of movement with the new ball as Russell turned the tide in the Renegades' favour.

Russell launched half a dozen sixes in his innings of 57 off 42 balls. One of his sixes went 103 metres - the equal-biggest of the season so far - belted straight back over James Bazley's head.

The West Indian's scintillating innings helped guide the Renegades to 6-139 and past the Heat's total with four balls to spare. He helped steady the ship after coming to the crease at 4-9.

"In situations like that, I don't think the best way to go about it is to go and block," Russell told reporters. "For me it's being positive and take the pressure off the batting team and try to put the bowlers under pressure. I've been in a few situations like that in my career and I went out and did similar things. I'm happy it worked tonight again."

Aaron Finch (31 not out) and Will Sutherland (six not out) steered the Renegades home after Akeal Hosein (30 off 19) played a crucial cameo. Sutherland faced just one ball, matching Russell's record with a 103m six of his own.

Hat-trick didn't even register with Michael Neser

Speaking after the match, Neser admitted he didn't initially realise he'd taken a hat-trick because it came across two different overs. "S***, that's funny," he said. "I didn't realise I took a wicket on that final ball of that over before. It's kind of cool - first hat-trick I've ever taken.

"To be honest, a lot was going on. The wicket was doing a lot, the ball was swinging, so I was really just focused on bowling a good length."

Neser was full of praise after Russell's spectacular innings. He said: "He took me on when the ball was going and it worked in his favour. I felt like any of those balls could've gone up. He hits the ball real hard and unfortunately for me they went the journey."

The loss leaves the Heat in a 0-2 hole ahead of a clash with the unbeaten Adelaide Strikers (3-0) at the Gabba on Friday night. Neser will be looking to get revenge on his former team.

"It's a long competition. There's plenty of cricket left, so no need to panic," he said. "We're still playing good cricket and we're contesting with ball and bat. I feel like we can string a couple of good games together, no doubt."

Cricket fans were left stunned by Neser's early display, and equally gobsmacked by Wells' leave on the hat-trick ball.

with AAP

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