The Gabba played host to an electrifying clash between Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars in Match 19 of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25. Both teams entered the contest with much to prove, aiming to gain momentum in the tournament. After Melbourne Stars won the toss and opted to bowl first, the match turned into a gripping battle of skill and strategy, ultimately ending in a five-wicket victory for the Stars.
Max Bryant’s blitz takes Brisbane Heat to a respectable total
Brisbane Heat struggled to establish dominance after losing early wickets. Opener Tom Banton (13 off 11) and Colin Munro (1 off 7) failed to provide a strong foundation, leaving the team under pressure. Nathan McSweeney (9 off 15) and Matt Renshaw (9 off 6) showed glimpses of promise but couldn’t sustain their innings. The highlight of the Heat’s batting was Max Bryant‘s scintillating knock of 77 off 48 balls, which included four boundaries and six towering sixes. Bryant, supported briefly by Paul Walter (21 off 18), helped push the Heat to a defendable total of 149/7 in 20 overs.
Melbourne Stars’ bowlers were disciplined, with Usama Mir (1/17) and Joel Paris (1/20) keeping the run rate in check. Mark Steketee emerged as the top wicket-taker with 2/42, while Dan Lawrence‘s solitary over yielded a crucial breakthrough at a cost of just six runs.
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Marcus Stoinis and Dan Lawrence sizzle in Melbourne Stars’ chase
Chasing 150, Melbourne Stars began on a shaky note, losing Ben Duckett for a duck in the opening over. Tom Fraser Rogers (6 off 7) and Sam Harper (8 off 11) couldn’t build momentum, leaving the Stars at 14/3. However, a match-winning partnership between Lawrence (64 off 38) and Marcus Stoinis (62 off 48) turned the game around. The duo exhibited brilliant shot selection, with Lawrence smashing seven boundaries and two sixes, while Stoinis anchored the innings with 10 crisp fours.
Despite losing a few late wickets, the Stars secured victory with 11 balls to spare, finishing at 153/5 in 18.1 overs. Brisbane Heat’s Xavier Bartlett was the standout bowler, claiming 4/10 in his four overs, a performance that kept the contest alive until the penultimate over. Stoinis’ composed 62 and his pivotal role in stabilizing the chase earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to absorb pressure and rotate the strike effectively made the difference in a closely fought encounter.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Skipper Stoinis leads from the front in Brisbane! 💪
His first half-century of #BBL14 to go along with the @starsbbl first win. #POTM pic.twitter.com/e9C2dumBov
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 1, 2025
Dan Lawrence appreciation post 😍
64* from just 38.#BBL14 pic.twitter.com/1wRCuuJ29u
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 1, 2025
Marcus Stoinis at Brisbane in T20s:
Innings – 10
Runs – 380
Average – 54.3
SR – 160
50s – 3#BBL #CricketTwitter— Sahil Pednekar 🇮🇳 (@statsbysahil) January 1, 2025
Skipper Marcus Stoinis scores 62, Melbourne Stars won by 5 wickets pic.twitter.com/dy3N18jsYJ
— Mushraf Ali (@MushrafAli3593) January 1, 2025
Melbourne Stars won by 5 Wickets. What a Performance Dan Lawrence 1/6 & 64*(38). Superb Knock Marcus Stoinis 62(48)[Player of the Match]. What a Spell Joel Paris 1/20 (4 Overs).@StarsBBL #BBL14 #BHvMS #HappyNewYear2025
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 1, 2025
62 OFF 48 BALLS FOR MARCUS STOINIS. WHAT A KNOCK 🥶#BBL14 #tapmad #DontStopStreaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/rlepDl15qz
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 1, 2025
Stoinis. Marcus Stoinis.
— ROC Photography 📷 (@ROCPhotography) January 1, 2025
Marcus Stoinis brilliant so far
— Vas Tsouvalas (@TsouvalasAFC) January 1, 2025
Too good Dan Lawrence!
— 🎰 (@StanMSD) January 1, 2025
Not the start to 2025 we were hoping for in front of a passionate Gabba crowd.#BBL14 pic.twitter.com/AsJytqzsYy
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) January 1, 2025
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