Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars: Brisbane Heat clinch a 4-wicket thriller at The Gabba

Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars: Brisbane Heat clinch a 4-wicket thriller at The Gabba, putting in a superb performance to win the match

Melbourne Stars

Player	Runs	Balls
Sam Harper	37	23
Tom Rogers	13	12
Marcus Stoinis	43	35
Campbell Kellaway	29	14
Glenn Maxwell	1	2
Hilton Cartwright	26	20
Tom Curran	2	2
Blake Macdonald	37	12
Total	195/6	(20 Overs)

Brisbane Heat

Player	Runs	Balls
Jack Wildermuth	15	10
Colin Munro	3	6
Nathan McSweeney	43	31
Matt Renshaw	41	27
Max Bryant	48	26
Hugh Weibgen	1	2
Jimmy Peirson	14	8
Xavier Bartlett	21	9
Total	199/6	(19.4 Overs)

Brisbane, January 2, 2026 – In what will be remembered as one of the most pulsating encounters of BBL 15, the Brisbane Heat pulled off a spectacular heist at The Gabba, defeating the table-topping Melbourne Stars by 4 wickets. Chasing a formidable target of 196, the Heat overcame mid-innings jitters to break the Stars’ four-match winning streak in front of a roaring home crowd.

Stars Shine Bright with the Bat

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Brisbane Heat hoped to use the evening moisture to their advantage. However, the Melbourne Stars’ openers had other plans. Despite losing Tom Rogers early for 13, Sam Harper continued his purple patch, dismantling the Heat’s pace attack with a blend of innovation and raw power.

Harper played the anchor role to perfection, scoring a brisk 37 off 23 balls. The momentum truly shifted when Marcus Stoinis and Campbell Kellaway joined forces. Stoinis, the Stars’ captain, played a balanced knock of 43 off 35 balls, while Kellaway provided the explosive spark with a quick-fire 29 off just 14 deliveries.

Just as the Heat thought they had a breakthrough, Blake Macdonald arrived at the crease for a sensational cameo. Macdonald’s blistering 37 off 12 balls, including three towering sixes, propelled the Stars to a massive total of 195/6 in their allotted 20 overs. For the Heat, young pacer Tom Balkin was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 wickets for 15 runs in a tight spell.

The Heat’s Record-Breaking Chase

The target of 196 was never going to be easy, and the Heat’s chase got off to a rocky start. The loss of Colin Munro (3) early on put the pressure squarely on the middle order. However, Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. McSweeney’s 43 off 31 balls and Renshaw’s 41 off 27 balls kept the required run rate within reach, even as the Stars’ spinners, led by Glenn Maxwell, tried to dry up the runs.

The real drama unfolded in the final five overs. With the Heat needing nearly 12 runs per over, Max Bryant played the innings of his life. Bryant took a particular liking to the Stars’ pace spearhead Haris Rauf, hitting him for consecutive boundaries. His unbeaten 48 off 26 balls turned the tide completely.

Despite losing Hugh Weibgen and Jimmy Peirson in quick succession, the Heat found an unlikely hero in Xavier Bartlett. Coming in at number 8, Bartlett smashed a cameo of 21 runs off just 9 balls. With 5 runs needed off the final over, Bryant sealed the deal with a boundary through cover, guiding Brisbane Heat to 199/6 with two balls to spare.

Key Moments and Turning Points

Macdonald’s Cameo: The Stars looked set for 170 until Macdonald’s 12-ball 37 pushed them near 200.
Bryant’s Composure: In a high-pressure chase, Max Bryant’s ability to find the boundary regularly without losing his wicket was the difference.
The Gabba Factor: The home crowd’s energy during the final three overs seemed to unnerve the Stars’ bowlers, leading to several expensive extras.