In a season of high-octane cricket, the 20th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 delivered one of its most electrifying finishes on January 2, 2026. Facing off at the iconic Brisbane Cricket Ground, the Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat treated the Gabba crowd to a high-scoring thriller that came down to the final over. In a game defined by late-inning heroics, the Heat managed to snap the Stars’ four-game winning streak, chasing down a formidable target of 196 to secure a four-wicket victory.
Stars Set the Tone with Late Fireworks
The Melbourne Stars were put into bat after Brisbane Heat won the toss and elected to bowl. The Stars’ innings began with intent as Sam Harper and Tom Rogers put on a rapid 52-run opening stand. Harper was particularly aggressive, striking 37 off 23 balls, including five boundaries and a six. However, the Heat’s bowlers managed to claw back through the middle overs, removing both openers and the dangerous Glenn Maxwell cheaply.
Skipper Marcus Stoinis stabilized the innings with a composed 43 off 35 balls, but the real story of the Stars’ innings was the late-order onslaught. Debutant Blake Macdonald announced himself on the big stage with a breathtaking performance, smashing an unbeaten 37 from just 12 deliveries. His strike rate of over 300 was the catalyst for a massive momentum shift. Alongside Hilton Cartwright, who contributed a quick-fire 26*, Macdonald helped plundered 56 runs from the final three overs. This explosive finish propelled the Stars to a daunting total of 195/6 at the end of their 20 overs.
Also Read: BBL Match 19: Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes (Jan 1, 2026)
Heat’s Measured Response and Mid-Inning Wobble
Chasing nearly 10 runs per over, the Heat’s pursuit began shakily. They lost Jack Wildermuth and Colin Munro early, leaving them at a precarious 34/2 in the fifth over. The recovery was led by Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw, who shared a crucial 69-run partnership. McSweeney’s 43 and Renshaw’s 41 kept the Heat within striking distance, playing with a blend of calculated risks and steady accumulation.
Just as the Heat seemed to be cruising, the Melbourne Stars’ veteran pacer Peter Siddle and spinner Mitchell Swepson struck. In a dramatic turn of events, the Heat lost three wickets for just six runs, including both set batters. When Jimmy Peirson fell to Haris Rauf in the 16th over, the Heat were 133/6 and looked to be fading out of the contest. The equation had ballooned to over 15 runs per over, leaving the Gabba faithful nervous.
The Bryant and Bartlett Masterclass
With the game slipping away, Max Bryant and Xavier Bartlett took center stage. Bryant, who would eventually be named Player of the Match, played an innings of immense composure and power. He struck 48* from 26 balls, anchored by three fours and four towering sixes. He found an ideal partner in Bartlett, who acted as the perfect foil with a blistering 21* off just 9 balls.
The pair dismantled the Stars’ death bowling, turning a “do-or-die” situation into a celebration. The final over began with the Heat needing double figures, but Bryant remained unfazed. He sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a boundary off Haris Rauf to trigger wild celebrations in the stands. This win was a “New Year’s miracle” for Brisbane, catapulting them up the points table and handing the previously unbeaten Stars their first loss of the season.
Statistical Highlights and Key Performers
The match was a testament to the depth of talent in both squads. For the Stars, Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers with 2/38, while Thomas Balkin impressed for the Heat with 2/35. Matthew Kuhnemann also played a vital role in restricting the Stars’ mid-innings flow with an economical spell of 1/22.
Ultimately, the difference was the Heat’s ability to maintain their nerve under pressure. While the Stars’ late flurry gave them a “mountainous” total, the Heat’s clinical execution in the final four overs proved decisive. The result not only provided the Heat with a much-needed boost for their playoff aspirations but also set the stage for an intense second half of the BBL season as teams jostle for the top spots.
Also Read: Gold Prices in India January 15, 2026