Tom Balkin was thrown into the Big Bash chaos on Saturday, but the debutant walked away with a moment to remember as the Brisbane Heat claimed a late win.

The 21-year-old, making his first appearance in the competition, took two wickets in the final over as his side scraped home by eight runs against the Adelaide Strikers.

Balkin was forced to bowl at the death after star import Shaheen Shah Afridi limped off with an injury, but the bright lights and tense situation didn’t bother him.

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Tom Balkin is swarmed by teammates Getty

Bowling at high speeds, Balkin looked dangerous with ball in hand but it wasn’t until the Heat needed him most that he was able to get his maiden wicket.

First it was the scalp of Hasan Ali and then with just two balls remaining, Balkin forced Harry Nielsen into a top-edge and the ball was caught in the deep by Jack Wildermuth.

“That’s an absolute thriller … the match had so many turns in it,” Brad Haddin said on Fox Cricket after the youngster took the match-winning wicket.

“Look at the Heat around the young man – two wickets and both in his last over.” 

Michael Hussey described it as an “unbelievable performance” from Balkin.

There were some nervous moments for the Heat as they looked to defend their score of 9-179, which was largely off the back of Max Bryant’s 63 off 32 deliveries.

Max Bryant in action for the Heat Cricket Australia via Getty Imag

Strikers captain Matt Short was looking the goods and when he was joined by the little-known Jerrssis Wadia at the crease, it appeared to be their game to lose.

Wadia hit his first three balls over the rope but when his skipper departed for 63 off 39 balls, he soon followed and was on his way for a quickfire 34 off 16.

The tail couldn’t wag for the Strikers and when Wildermuth took three wickets in an over, the momentum completely swung back in the Heat’s favour.

But the night belonged to Balkin, who turned plenty of heads in his first BBL match.

“It’s been a crazy few days,” he told Fox Cricket post-game.