Hobart Hurricanes keep playoff hopes alive with two-run win over Brisbane Heat

The Hurricanes successfully defended 12 runs off the final two overs but need Melbourne Stars to defeat Sydney Thunder in order to continue their BBL12 campaign

Launceston: Hobart Hurricanes 120-9, Brisbane Heat 118-8 - Hobart Hurricanes won by two runs

Scorecard

Hobart Hurricanes kept their playoff hopes alive after securing a nail-biting two-run win over Brisbane Heat.

The result moves Matthew Wade's side into fifth position, with all eyes now turning to the MCG. The Hurricanes need Melbourne Stars to defeat Sydney Thunder, otherwise they will be eliminated.

Chasing 121, Brisbane Heat were always ahead of the required rate despite losing regular wickets and headed into the final four overs just 19 runs shy of victory.

^{Mac Wright scored a half-century for the Hurricanes [Steve Bell/Getty Images]}

^{Riley Meredith recorded figures of 1 for 12, including the wicket of captain Usman Khawaja [Steve Bell/Getty Images]}

The equation became 12 runs from 12 deliveries following economical overs from Faheem Ashraf (2 for 19) and Nathan Ellis (2 for 26), who each picked up a wicket at the death, before Joel Paris conceded just two runs – and picked up the wicket of Michael Neser – off the penultimate over: 10 required off six.

Tim David stepped up to deliver the final six balls and the Australia international, better known for his batting than his right-arm off-spin, held his nerve, running out Matthew Kuhnemann and conceding just seven runs to secure a valuable two points.

Jimmy Peirson (39 off 37) and Sam Hain (26 off 34), who was removed by Ashraf at the death, were the only Brisbane Heat batters to pass 11 while Riley Meredith (1 for 12) was the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers. David's two over cost just 13 runs, including one boundary.

Earlier, Hobart Hurricanes had been in all kinds of bother with the bat, with a run-a-ball 56 from Mac Wright accounting for nearly half of their runs.

A 40-run fifth-wicket stand between Wright and Wade was the only significant partnership as regular wickets restricted the home side to 120 for 9.

Neser picked up 4 for 35 while there were also wickets for Spencer Johnson (2 for 20), James Bazley (1 for 20), Kuhnemann (1 for 25) and Mitch Swepson (1 for 17).