Josh Brown's record-breaking century has powered Brisbane Heat to a 54-run defeat of Adelaide Strikers and into the Big Bash League decider.
The Heat opener pulverised a tournament-record 12 sixes to go with 10 fours in his 57-ball 140, the innings blazing Brisbane's trail to Wednesday's SCG final against the Sydney Sixers.
Chasing 215 to win on the Gold Coast on Monday, the Strikers were bowled out for 160, Nathan McSweeney taking 3-3 in the final over to seal a 54-run victory.
Brown's was the highest score in a BBL finals game and equal second-fastest hundred in tournament history, hitting Cameron Boyce for six over mid-on to bring up the milestone off 41 balls.
"It still feels a bit surreal; still pinching myself now the adrenaline's winding down, pretty crazy," he said, crediting Heat captain and clubmate Nathan McSweeney for turning his fast start into a historic knock.
"He's seen me at my best, seen me at my worst and told me to just watch and react.
"Usually I like facing pace, but sometimes don't make my mind up correctly against spin.
"But when they came on I was just so clear tonight."
140 runs.
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2024
57 balls.
22 boundaries.
12 sixes.
One unforgettable knock from Josh Brown. #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/EnVIklxeDI
After Brown was finally dismissed in the 17th over with the score at 192, the Heat lost 4-5 and scored just 14 from the final three overs to bring the visitors back into the contest.
But a two-wicket over from strike weapon Spencer Johnson (3-20 off four overs), picking up key pair Matt Short (19 off nine balls) and D'Arcy Short (seven off 13), helped put the Strikers back in their box.
Brown, a 30-year-old bat-maker who forced his way into a BBL contract last season through sheer weight of club cricket runs, was on pace to beat Perth blaster Craig Simmons' 39-ball mark.
He had to settle for a share with Glenn Maxwell for second, in the process easily eclipsing Chris Lynn's 49-ball century that was the previous fastest ton for the Heat.
It was also the third-highest BBL score behind Maxwell (154 not out) and Marcus Stoinis (147 not out).
Brown reached 50 in 22 balls, the same amount he had faced on Friday when he made a sluggish 15 that featured countless air swings in a loss to the Sixers.
The Carrara Stadium wicket had firmed since then, with Brown immediately into rhythm as he targeted midwicket when bowlers dropped short and cover if they over-pitched.
A rare slice of luck came as he entered the 90s with a skied pull shot that fell between four fielders, Brown otherwise picking his spots with brutal precision.
"One of the better innings I've seen, but a bit frustrating to have one player get away like that," Strikers captain Matt Short said.
"Huge credit to him; we threw a fair few things at him and he kept hitting them out of the middle wherever he wanted.
"Just a freak innings."
Boyce (2-50) and Lloyd Pope (2-39) bounced back from Brown's early assault, while David Payne (2-17 from three overs) was also effective.
But Johnson was breathing fire as he ran through both Shorts then sent back Jake Weatherald, who was the architect in the Strikers' upset of Perth Scorchers three days ago.
The Heat lost to Perth in last year's decider and will chase their first title since the BBL's second season, while the Sixers can claim a fourth title in their seventh final.
