199/6 (19.4)
CR : 10.12
195/6 (20.0)
CR : 9.75
Brisbane Heat won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Max Bryant
48(26)
BRH won by 4 wickets
5:04 PM IST, 9:34 PM local time: Should all the matches in BBL15 be shifted to the Gabba? Because this place just cannot stop producing thrillers. Uff, we were all sent on a rollercoaster ride once again, weren't we? In the end, Brisbane Heat have managed to cross the finish line and handed Melbourne Stars their first defeat of the season.
At 120/5 in 15 overs, this result seemed highly unlikely. The required rate was constantly climbing up, there was not much batting left and the bowlers who were supposed to bowl the remaining overs — Mitchell Swepson, Peter Siddle, Tom Curran and Haris Rauf — had done a good job until that point. Plus, Max Bryant was struggling. He was 3* (8) at this point and would later be at 14* (17).
But then, they do not call cricket a "game of glorious uncertainties" for nothing. They scored 79 runs in the next 4.4 overs and Max Bryant finished with 48* (26), taking the team home.
It started with Haris Rauf's third over — the 16th of the innings — where two huge sixes were hit. Though, it appeared as if the pacer pulled it back by getting Peirson out in that very over. Then, Xavier Bartlett tonked Mitchell Swepson for a six and a four in the 17th over. Yet, it felt like Stars' game to lose.
In the 18th over, Bryant unleashed a tennis-like forehand smash post which the ball was changed. Siddle failed to grip it and ended up delivering an above-waist full toss that was hit for another four. Then, the free hit that followed was smoked for six. Thus, the tables turned and Bryant went from being the villain to being the hero.
Earlier in the evening, Sam Harper's effervescent 37 (23) had taken off the visitors to a good start. The innings did go through a lull in the middle with Melbourne Stars going from 109/2 to 137/6. However, debutant Blake Macdonald's 12-ball-37 propelled them to a good score of 195/6. Marcus Stoinis top scored with 43 (35), while Tom Balkin returned the best bowling figures with 2/35.
In the second innings, Siddle and Swepson both got 2 wickets each while the others kept things under check despite impressive knocks from Nathan McSweeny (31-ball-43) and Matt Renshaw (27-ball-41). But alas, they could not keep the hosts on a leash till the very end.
At 120/5 in 15 overs, this result seemed highly unlikely. The required rate was constantly climbing up, there was not much batting left and the bowlers who were supposed to bowl the remaining overs — Mitchell Swepson, Peter Siddle, Tom Curran and Haris Rauf — had done a good job until that point. Plus, Max Bryant was struggling. He was 3* (8) at this point and would later be at 14* (17).
But then, they do not call cricket a "game of glorious uncertainties" for nothing. They scored 79 runs in the next 4.4 overs and Max Bryant finished with 48* (26), taking the team home.
It started with Haris Rauf's third over — the 16th of the innings — where two huge sixes were hit. Though, it appeared as if the pacer pulled it back by getting Peirson out in that very over. Then, Xavier Bartlett tonked Mitchell Swepson for a six and a four in the 17th over. Yet, it felt like Stars' game to lose.
In the 18th over, Bryant unleashed a tennis-like forehand smash post which the ball was changed. Siddle failed to grip it and ended up delivering an above-waist full toss that was hit for another four. Then, the free hit that followed was smoked for six. Thus, the tables turned and Bryant went from being the villain to being the hero.
Earlier in the evening, Sam Harper's effervescent 37 (23) had taken off the visitors to a good start. The innings did go through a lull in the middle with Melbourne Stars going from 109/2 to 137/6. However, debutant Blake Macdonald's 12-ball-37 propelled them to a good score of 195/6. Marcus Stoinis top scored with 43 (35), while Tom Balkin returned the best bowling figures with 2/35.
In the second innings, Siddle and Swepson both got 2 wickets each while the others kept things under check despite impressive knocks from Nathan McSweeny (31-ball-43) and Matt Renshaw (27-ball-41). But alas, they could not keep the hosts on a leash till the very end.
Highest Successful Chases for Brisbane Heat in BBL:
258/2 vs Perth Scorchers, Brisbane, 2025-26 (Target - 258)
199/6 vs Melbourne Stars, Brisbane, 2025-26 (Target - 196)*
189/4 vs Sydney Thunder, Brisbane, 2016 (Target - 187)
258/2 vs Perth Scorchers, Brisbane, 2025-26 (Target - 258)
199/6 vs Melbourne Stars, Brisbane, 2025-26 (Target - 196)*
189/4 vs Sydney Thunder, Brisbane, 2016 (Target - 187)
Most Runs Added for the 7th Wicket in a BBL Match
124 – Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars, Brisbane, 2025-26*
88 – Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers, Sydney, 2018
82 – Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne (Docklands), 2022
124 – Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars, Brisbane, 2025-26*
88 – Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers, Sydney, 2018
82 – Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne (Docklands), 2022
Highest Match Aggregate Involving Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars in T20s:
397 Runs, Brisbane, 2017
394 Runs, Brisbane, 2025-26*
394 Runs, Brisbane, 2021
372 Runs, Brisbane, 2023
397 Runs, Brisbane, 2017
394 Runs, Brisbane, 2025-26*
394 Runs, Brisbane, 2021
372 Runs, Brisbane, 2023
Highest 7th Wicket Partnerships for Brisbane Heat in BBL:
78 – Jimmy Peirson & Hugh Weibgen vs Melbourne Renegades, Geelong, 2025-26
66* – Xavier Bartlett & Max Bryant vs Melbourne Stars, Brisbane, 2025-26*
57 – James Hopes & Nathan Reardon vs Perth Scorchers, W.A.C.A, 2015
78 – Jimmy Peirson & Hugh Weibgen vs Melbourne Renegades, Geelong, 2025-26
66* – Xavier Bartlett & Max Bryant vs Melbourne Stars, Brisbane, 2025-26*
57 – James Hopes & Nathan Reardon vs Perth Scorchers, W.A.C.A, 2015
Player of the Match: Max Bryant
Max Bryant (Player of the Match): “We lost wickets heading into the last four or five overs. Xavier took pressure off me. Credit to him for taking the pressure off me.
We talked about it before the game. It’s do or die. We can’t lose here at The Gabba. Have to win five in five and sneak in. We have to get two wins at home.
The boys were awesome tonight. The bowlers bowled really well. It was a belter of a wicket and I think the Stars fell 20 runs short.
It was always nice to stay at The Gabba. We have the spirit to keep fighting. That Queensland spirit. They (Sydney Sixers) are a strong outfit. Hopefully, we can get a couple of wins under the belt and storm into the final.
Probably, the first five years I played, it was about situations. Now, it’s about playing with my mates and having fun."
We talked about it before the game. It’s do or die. We can’t lose here at The Gabba. Have to win five in five and sneak in. We have to get two wins at home.
The boys were awesome tonight. The bowlers bowled really well. It was a belter of a wicket and I think the Stars fell 20 runs short.
It was always nice to stay at The Gabba. We have the spirit to keep fighting. That Queensland spirit. They (Sydney Sixers) are a strong outfit. Hopefully, we can get a couple of wins under the belt and storm into the final.
Probably, the first five years I played, it was about situations. Now, it’s about playing with my mates and having fun."
A late surge from Max Bryant helped Brisbane Heat hand Melbourne Stars their first defeat of the season. With this, Heat move to the fourth spot in the points table.
They will next face Sydney Sixers at Coffs Harbour on Monday, January 5. Meanwhile, still table-toppers, Stoinis and co. will feature in the Melbourne Derby at the MCG on Sunday, January 4.
Before all of that, tomorrow we will see David Warner's Sydney Thunder lock horns with defending champions Hobart Hurricanes. And as always, we will be there to call the action.
Do join us for all those matches. For now, this is Darpan Tikiya signing off on the behalf of Akshay Bhide and Zeeshan Naiyer. Feel free to scroll below and read the summary of this game. See you soon! 👋
They will next face Sydney Sixers at Coffs Harbour on Monday, January 5. Meanwhile, still table-toppers, Stoinis and co. will feature in the Melbourne Derby at the MCG on Sunday, January 4.
Before all of that, tomorrow we will see David Warner's Sydney Thunder lock horns with defending champions Hobart Hurricanes. And as always, we will be there to call the action.
Do join us for all those matches. For now, this is Darpan Tikiya signing off on the behalf of Akshay Bhide and Zeeshan Naiyer. Feel free to scroll below and read the summary of this game. See you soon! 👋