Match overview

Brisbane Heat beat Melbourne Stars by 4 wickets at The Gabba on 2 January 2026, chasing down a target of 196 in a match that came down to the final phase. Stars had posted a competitive 195/6, built on a powerplay of 56/1 and a middle phase that yielded 74 runs for 3 wickets. Heat's reply was steady if not dominant through the powerplay and middle overs, but a death-overs burst of 79 runs from just 1 wicket sealed it. M Bryant was named Player of the Match for his contribution to that chase.

The result extends Brisbane Heat's overall lead in this BBL rivalry to 13 wins from 21 meetings. Melbourne Stars, who had won four consecutive BBL games coming into this fixture, now hold 8 wins in the series. It was only the Stars' second loss in their last five matches, though, so this remains a competitive side.

Venue and conditions

The Gabba has now hosted 129 T20 matches, and its numbers set clear expectations for any side playing there. The average first-innings score is 215, meaning Melbourne Stars' total of 195/6 came in below that benchmark. The average second-innings score sits at 200, so Heat's 199/6 was close to par for a chase at this ground.

The death-overs phase at The Gabba typically produces around 31 runs on average. Brisbane Heat's death-overs tally of 79 runs was more than double that figure, and it was the platform on which the game turned. The powerplay average at the venue is 34 runs; both sides exceeded it, with Stars scoring 56/1 and Heat 51/2 in their respective six-over spells.

The Gabba favours teams batting first less than you might expect. Of the 129 T20 matches played there, teams chasing have won 52 per cent of the time. Brisbane Heat won the toss and chose to field, a decision that aligned with that tendency and which proved correct on the night.

How to watch

Big Bash League fixtures are available in the UK via BT Sport, with live streaming through the BT Sport app and website. Given that matches are played in Australian Eastern Daylight Time, most BBL games air in the early hours of the morning in the UK, typically between 8am and 11am for day games or from around 9am for evening fixtures in Australia. Catch-up and replay options through the BT Sport platform are the more practical viewing route for many UK fans.

Recent form

Melbourne Stars arrived at The Gabba in the best form of any side in the competition. Four wins in a row, against Sydney Thunder, Sydney Sixers, Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes, suggested a team that had found consistency across all phases. Their only blemish in five games was a loss to Sydney Thunder, which sits some way back in recent memory.

Brisbane Heat's form was a more uneven picture. Two wins from five, with losses to Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades, pointed to a side capable of beating anyone but also vulnerable. The result here will give them momentum. For Stars, this is a first defeat in five and a reminder that home advantage in this fixture remains a significant factor, even after they won at The Gabba in 2025. Both sides still have BBL fixtures remaining, and the Stars' overall form means they are unlikely to be derailed by a single loss.