Axed Australian Test opening batter Nathan McSweeney has responded after being dropped from the side on the eve of the Boxing Day Test.

During his first Big Bash League match of the season with the Brisbane Heat, the batter smacked 78 runs off 49 balls, headlined by 12 boundaries.

His knock buoyed the Heat to a nail-biting three-wicket victory as the visitors reached the 175-run target with the final ball.

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He notched his half century in 36 balls and raised the bat to an ecstatic home crowd.

It left the commentators in awe of his mental resilience considering the heartbreak of the days leading into this match.

“That is a great comeback from what’s been happening in his career this week,” Mark Waugh said on Fox.

“It can’t be easy, would have been feeling quite low coming into this match, being dropped from the Australian Test team,” Mike Hussey added.

The 25-year-old, who was named player of the match, didn’t flinch when asked how he was feeling after being axed from the Test team.

“Every time I play for Brisbane, I want to get the win, or any team I play for,” McSweeney said on Fox post match.

“I really enjoyed my time in the three weeks I was around the Test squad. Absolutely loved every minute of it.

“When I’m back here, I’m just trying to win the game for Brisbane. It is always nice to contribute and be not out in the chase.”

Getting the win came down to the wire when Xavier Bartlett was dismissed after a slog was caught at deep mid-wicket.

It left the Heat requiring five runs from just four balls, with Mitchell Swepson on strike.

McSweeney drove the third-last ball through mid-wicket and ran for a second as Strikers bowler Liam Scott fao;ed to gather the ball and complete what was an almost certain run-out.

It was up to Swepson to knock just one run off the final ball for the win, and he did just that.

Before McSweeney’s heroic knock, another forgotten Test batter, Matt Renshaw, starred with bat in hand to start the Heat’s chase.

He smacked his half-century for the Heat off just 24 balls, headlined by six boundaries.

It was his eighth 50 in his Big Bash career.

But he didn’t last much longer, dismissed for 54 off 27 when a scoop shot over leg side failed and trickled onto his stumps.

For the Strikers, Jamie Overton top-scored in a heroic final bash with an unbeaten 45 off 24 deliveries.

The Heat stay undefeated with two wins, leaving the Strikers on one win and two losses.