A stunning, unbroken 66-run partnership from just 25 balls by Max Bryant and Xavier Bartlett powered the Brisbane Heat to a remarkable four-wicket victory over the previously undefeated Melbourne Stars in a last-over thriller at the Gabba. The win marks the Stars’ first loss of the BBL season.
The Great Escape: A Chase for the Ages
Chasing a formidable target of 196, the Heat’s pursuit seemed to be crumbling. After solid starts from Nathan McSweeney (43) and Matt Renshaw (41), the Heat collapsed from 103/2 to 109/5 in the space of seven balls, leaving them needing 76 runs from the final five overs.
The game, and perhaps Bryant’s innings, turned on a pivotal moment. With the batsman on just 2, he appeared to edge a Peter Siddle delivery to the wicketkeeper. The Stars opted not to review, a decision replay later proved costly.
Seizing the reprieve, Bryant launched a brutal assault. He took 16 runs from Siddle’s final over to set up a dramatic finish, needing 27 from the last 12 balls. Xavier Bartlett then exploded into action, smashing 21 from just 9 deliveries, including a huge six and a four off leggie Mitchell Swepson. The pair turned the penultimate over from Tom Curran into a boundary fest, leaving the Heat needing 10 from the final six balls.
With composure under immense pressure, Bryant launched the third ball of Haris Rauf’s final over for a massive six to level the scores, then sealed a famous victory with a boundary two balls later. Bryant finished unbeaten on 48 from 26 balls, while Bartlett’s whirlwind **21* from 9** proved equally decisive.
📊 Match Scorecard: Brisbane Heat vs. Melbourne Stars
| Innings | Score | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Stars | 195/6 (20 overs) | M. Stoinis (43), B. Macdonald (37*), S. Harper (37) |
| Brisbane Heat | 199/6 (19.4 overs) | M. Bryant (48*), N. McSweeney (43), M. Renshaw (41) |
| Result | Brisbane Heat won by 4 wickets (2 balls remaining) | Key Moment: Stars’ failure to review Bryant’s edge on 2. |
Stars’ Strong Total, Heat’s Bowling Gems
Sent in to bat, the Stars built a powerful platform. Openers Sam Harper (37) and Tom Rogers provided a rapid start (47/0 in the powerplay). Captain Marcus Stoinis anchored the middle with a steady 43, but the innings was truly ignited by BBL debutant Blake Macdonald. He smashed an unbeaten 37 from just 12 balls, combining with Hilton Cartwright (26*) to plunder 58 runs from the final 22 deliveries, lifting the Stars to 195/6.
The Heat’s bowling had highlights despite the total. Young quick Thomas Balkin (2/35) made key breakthroughs, while spinner Matt Kuhnemann was exceptional, conceding just 22 runs from his 4 overs and claiming a wicket in a masterclass of control on a high-scoring night.
What This Means for the BBL Table
This victory is a massive boost for the Brisbane Heat’s campaign. They move to six points (W3, L3) and leap into fourth place on the BBL table, reigniting their playoff push.
For the Melbourne Stars, the unbeaten streak is over, but they remain one of the teams to beat. The match, however, highlighted a potentially costly lapse in decision-making with their failed review. Veteran Peter Siddle became the joint-leading wicket-taker of the season (10), but will rue the missed chance to dismiss Bryant early.
In a match filled with powerful hitting, clever bowling, and a touch of controversy, it was the Heat’s never-say-die attitude and a spectacular finishing partnership that stole the show, delivering one of the most memorable chases of the BBL season.
