Stars juggernaut ends after Heat pull off heist

The Melbourne Stars' unbeaten start to the 2025-26 Big Bash League ended as the Brisbane Heat pulled off a stunning chase at the Gabba, thanks to a late hitting blitz from Max Bryant and Xavier Bartlett. The Stars suffered their first loss of the season, which seemed improbable when the Heat needed 76 from the final five overs.

Chasing 196, the Heat's chase was steadied by Nathan McSweeney (43) and Matt Renshaw after early wickets. However, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Swepson struck to leave the hosts reeling at 76 needed from 30 balls.

Max Bryant then revived the innings with two sixes off Haris Rauf. Despite Rauf dismissing Jimmy Peirson in the same over, Xavier Bartlett's arrival accelerated the chase. Bryant smashed Siddle in his final over, including a six off a free hit, to turn the game. He then took down Tom Curran in the penultimate over before sealing the win with a six and a boundary in the final over.

Earlier, the Stars posted 195/6. Sam Harper provided a fiery start in the powerplay. After the openers fell, Marcus Stoinis (43) and Campbell Kellaway rebuilt the innings. Blake Macdonald provided a late surge, smashing 22 runs in the 19th over and hitting two more sixes in the 20th to propel the Stars to a strong total, which was ultimately chased down.

Brief scores: Melbourne Stars 195/6 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 43, Blake Macdonald 37*; Thomas Balkin 2/35) lost to Brisbane Heat 199/6 in 19.4 overs (Max Bryant 48*, Nathan McSweeney 43; Mitchell Swepson 2/30) by 4 wickets.