McSweeney guides Heat to win after Australia dropping

Nathan McSweeney responded to being dropped from the Australia Test squad with an unbeaten 78 to help Brisbane Heat beat Adelaide Strikers in a final-ball thriller in the Big Bash League.

McSweeney hit 10 fours and two sixes in his 49-ball knock as defending champions Heat chased 175.

The right-hander made his international debut in the series against India and averaged 14.40 in the first three Tests, but has been replaced by 19-year-old Sam Konstas for the final two matches.

He was supported by Matt Renshaw's 54 from 27 balls, while Essex's Paul Walter added 19.

Strikers had posted 174-6 with England's Jamie Overton making 45 not out from 24 balls and Ollie Pope 34 off 29 balls.

"It is nice to get the boys home. It was probably a bit over par so it is a really good win for us," McSweeney said on Sky Sports.

"It is always nice to bounce back. I loved my time in the Australia cricket team, sharing the changing room with some of Australia's greatest players was awesome and hopefully I can learn from the experience and get back there soon.

"Marnus [Labuschagne] told me 'it is not where it starts, it is where it ends' and every good story has its ups and downs so hopefully I can look back on this as a great learning curve."