Brisbane Heat skipper Nathan McSweeney’s silverware dream comes true

Winning the Big Bash League trophy was extra sweet for captain Nathan McSweeney, who was a ballboy when the Brisbane Heat won their first title back in 2012. SEE THE CUTE PICTURES

He was a teenage ballboy 11 years ago when the Brisbane Heat first won the Big Bash League, now Nathan McSweeney has captained the side to its second title.

Cheers rang out in Brisbane City on Friday morning as McSweeney held the trophy aloft to hundreds of adoring fans gathered to celebrate the Heat up close.

The Northern Suburbs junior revealed he was a ballboy when the Heat won its first title back in 2012, a side inspired by international superstars like Kemar Roach, Andrew Flintoff and Matty Hayden.

Nathan McSweeney as an 11-year-old junior cricketer at Caboolture.

McSweeney said those days as a ballboy allowed him to one day dream of cricketing silverware, which on Wednesday night came to fruition as the Heat crushed the Sydney Sixers.

“I think I was probably like all of us here, cricket lovers growing up watching the Heat at the Gabba, I was very fortunate that I was a ballboy that year,” McSweeney said.

A young Nathan McSweeney.

“As a kid I always wanted to play cricket professionally and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.

“I remember the likes of Kemar Roach, Craig Kieswetter, Matty Hayden, Andrew Flintoff, there were heaps and that’s definitely why I continued to play the game and loved the game as a kid.

“I’m so grateful to the Heat for those memories and to be able to win a final for them is just awesome.”

Nathan McSweeney of the Heat bats during the BBL Final match against the Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Leg spinner Mitch Swepson said the squad wasn’t expecting such waves of fans to show out to watch them celebrate the success.

“I guess it shows the level of support we have had, not just this year but the supporters who have stuck through. There have been some tough times in there as well, so this is amazing support and it makes it all better about winning that trophy,” Swepson said.

“It’s been a long time for these guys to see a trophy in this city.”

Nathan McSweeney lifts the BBL trophy in Queen St Mall. Picture: David Clark

More than 100,000 fans packed into the Gabba for the Heat’s four BBL matches this summer which Swepson said was unreal.

He praised Cricket Australia and the BBL for “getting the schedule right”.

“The crowds absolutely flocked in, especially at the Gabba,” he said.

“We love playing in front of a packed Gabba and we didn’t lose a game there, so it obviously worked.”