The Brisbane Heat produced a sensational late-innings comeback to defeat the previously unbeaten Melbourne Stars by four wickets in Match 20 of the Big Bash League 2025-26 at The Gabba on 2 January 2026.
Chasing 196, Brisbane appeared to be in serious trouble before Max Bryant and Xavier Bartlett launched an extraordinary assault in the closing overs.
Bryant smashed an unbeaten 48 from 26 balls, while Bartlett contributed 21 from just nine deliveries*. Their explosive 66-run partnership from 25 balls completely changed the match and carried Brisbane to 199/6 in 19.4 overs.
The result ended Melbourne Stars' perfect start to the campaign and delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the BBL season.
Pre-Match Context at The Gabba
The Gabba provided the perfect setting for another high-octane Big Bash contest.
Melbourne Stars entered the match at the top of the table after winning their opening four matches. Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Haris Rauf gave the Stars a formidable combination of batting experience and bowling pace.
Brisbane Heat, meanwhile, were looking to climb the standings and make home advantage count.
After winning the toss, Brisbane elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the conditions before launching their chase under the lights.
The strategy initially worked, but Melbourne's late hitting ensured they finished with a formidable total.
Melbourne Stars Post 195/6
The Stars began strongly, with Sam Harper and Thomas Rogers putting pressure on Brisbane during the powerplay.
Harper scored 37 from 23 balls before Thomas Balkin provided Brisbane with an important breakthrough.
Rogers followed after Matt Renshaw made an impact with the ball, while Matthew Kuhnemann helped restrict the scoring rate through the middle overs.
Marcus Stoinis then attempted to anchor the innings, making 43 from 35 balls.
Glenn Maxwell was unable to provide his usual late-innings fireworks, leaving Melbourne needing another source of acceleration.
That responsibility fell to Hilton Cartwright and debutant Blake Macdonald.
The pair completely transformed the innings.
Macdonald smashed 37 from only 12 balls*, while Cartwright finished unbeaten on 26 from 20. Their late partnership produced 58 runs from just 22 deliveries.
Melbourne Stars therefore reached 195/6 from their 20 overs, a highly competitive total at The Gabba.
Brisbane Heat Chase 196
Brisbane's chase began poorly.
Colin Munro and Jack Wildermuth departed cheaply, placing early pressure on the home side.
Nathan McSweeney, returning from injury, responded brilliantly.
The Heat captain combined controlled strokeplay with smart running between the wickets and built an important partnership with Matt Renshaw.
McSweeney eventually departed for a valuable 43 from 31 balls, leaving Brisbane needing another substantial contribution from their lower order.
The pressure increased when Mitchell Swepson struck twice and Brisbane slipped into serious trouble.
With five overs remaining, the equation was daunting.
Brisbane needed 62 runs from 30 balls.
The match appeared to be moving towards Melbourne.
Then everything changed.
Bryant and Bartlett's Late Blitz Hands Melbourne Stars First Defeat of BBL 2025-26 Season.
BH vs MS: Full Match Report and Highlights from Big Bash League 2025-26, Match 20 at The Gabba, Brisbane.
On January 2, 2026, The Gabba in Brisbane – the iconic venue known for its lively atmosphere, bouncy pitch, and capacity crowd of over 39,000 under floodlights – delivered yet another BBL classic.
Brisbane Heat pulled off a stunning four-wicket victory over the previously unbeaten Melbourne Stars, chasing down 196 with two balls to spare. Max Bryant (48* off 26) and Xavier Bartlett (21* off 9) added an explosive 66 off just 25 balls in a smash-and-grab finale that shattered the Stars' perfect record and ignited the home crowd.
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Fans in full voice at The Gabba.
Pre-Match Context and Lineups
Melbourne Stars arrived as table-toppers with four wins from four, boasting firepower from Marcus Stoinis (c), Glenn Maxwell, and pace ace Haris Rauf. Brisbane Heat, captained by the returning Nathan McSweeney after injury, were mid-table with mixed results but strengthened at home.
Heat won the toss and elected to bowl – the 39th consecutive BBL toss won leading to bowling first.
Brisbane Heat Lineup (Playing XI): Colin Munro, Jack Wildermuth, Matt Renshaw, Nathan McSweeney (c), Hugh Weibgen, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Max Bryant, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Thomas Balkin, Mitchell Swepson (approx based on reports).
Melbourne Stars Lineup (Playing XI): Thomas Rogers, Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Stoinis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Blake Macdonald, Peter Siddle, Haris Rauf, Mitchell Swepson.
Debutant Blake Macdonald for Stars and rookie quick Thomas Balkin for Heat added intrigue.
Melbourne Stars Innings: Strong Start, Late Surge to 195/6
Sent in, Stars openers Sam Harper and Thomas Rogers blasted 47/0 in the powerplay. Harper (37 off 23) was aggressive, but Balkin struck to remove him.
Matt Renshaw, bowling part-time off-spin, dismissed Rogers, while Kuhnemann (1-22 off 4) applied the brakes with clever variations post his World Cup selection.
Stoinis (43 off 35) anchored but couldn't explode as expected. Maxwell fell cheaply, adding to middle-order wobbles.
The game-changer came late: Hilton Cartwright (26* off 20) and debutant Blake Macdonald (37* off 12) unleashed mayhem, adding 58 off 22 balls. Macdonald's blistering knock lifted Stars to 195/6 – a total that looked 20 above par on a lively Gabba pitch.
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Melbourne Stars squad in action during BBL 2025-26.
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The Stars team huddle before the match.
Thomas Balkin (2-35) impressed on debut, while Kuhnemann was economical.
Brisbane Heat Chase: McSweeney Revival to Bryant-Bartlett Heroics
Chasing 196, Heat stumbled early: Munro and Wildermuth fell cheaply.
McSweeney (43 off 31), back from injury, rebuilt superbly with Renshaw, adding a steady partnership. His leg-side flicks and drives were classy until Siddle dismissed him.
Swepson then tore through: a double-wicket over removing Renshaw and another, leaving Heat reeling at 109/5 or similar.
Enter Max Bryant and Xavier Bartlett. With 62 needed off the last five overs, the pair went berserk. Bryant, unleashed lower down, hammered boundaries and sixes relentlessly, finishing 48* off 26.
Bartlett, the bowler-turned-batsman, contributed 21* off 9 with brutal hitting. Their 66-run stand off 25 balls turned the game, targeting Haris Rauf in the death overs – who endured a tough night.
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Bryant goes ballistic during the chase.
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The opener smashes another boundary en route to 48*.
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The final over drama: Needing 10 off 6, Bryant edged the winning runs past short third. Heat finished 199/6 in 19.4 overs.
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Heat triumph at the Gabba.
Brisbane Heat celebrate the winning moment.
Jubilant scenes after the win.
Post-Match Analysis and Implications
Max Bryant earned Player of the Match for his match-winning knock. Heat captain McSweeney praised the bowlers' efforts and the late assault.
For Stars, the death bowling – especially Rauf's expensive overs – proved costly, ending their unbeaten streak.
The win propelled Heat to fourth with 6 points, while Stars' loss opened the table for challengers.
Brief Scores: Melbourne Stars 195/6 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 43, Blake Macdonald 37*, Hilton Cartwright 26*; Thomas Balkin 2-35, Matthew Kuhnemann 1-22) Brisbane Heat 199/6 in 19.4 overs (Max Bryant 48*, Nathan McSweeney 43; Peter Siddle 2-38, Mitchell Swepson 2-30) Result: Brisbane Heat won by 4 wickets.
This Gabba thriller showcased BBL's unpredictability, with Bryant and Bartlett's heroics ensuring a memorable start to 2026 cricket.BBL 2025-26 latest results
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