Final result
Brisbane Heat won by 4 wickets
Player of the match: M Bryant
Result · Big Bash League
Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat
Result · Big Bash League
Venue par · 215Chase success · 52%POTM · M Bryant
Match preview & overview
Heat chase down 196 at The Gabba to beat Stars by 4 wickets
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.
Pitch report & venue insights
The Gabba, Brisbane — 129-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2002–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
129
T20 matches hosted
215
Avg 1st-innings score
200
Avg 2nd-innings score
52%
Chase success rate
38
Avg powerplay runs
45%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Stars post 195/6 but Heat's death overs win it
Melbourne Stars set 196 after scoring 195/6, with a strong powerplay of 56/1 and a middle phase that added 74. Brisbane Heat needed 79 runs from the death overs to get over the line, taking just 1 wicket in that phase to seal it.
Angle 02
Bryant named Player of the Match
Angle 03
Heat's head-to-head advantage holds at The Gabba
Angle 04
Chasing team wins again at a chase-friendly venue
Angle 05
Stars' form coming in was excellent; Heat's was mixed
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may warrant closer attention at The Gabba given that both innings exceeded the venue's average powerplay score of 34 runs, suggesting bat-friendly conditions on the night.
- Death-overs performance lines could be relevant here: Brisbane Heat's 79 runs from the final phase with only 1 wicket falling was well above the venue's average death-overs figure of 31 runs.
- Toss markets are worth contextualising against The Gabba's data. Teams that field first win 52 per cent of the time across 129 T20 matches here, and the Heat's toss decision proved correct on this occasion.
- Player of the Match markets for future fixtures between these sides may be informed by the fact that death-overs batting contributions have decided several recent meetings in this rivalry.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat
Who won the Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars BBL match on 2 January 2026?
Brisbane Heat won by 4 wickets. They chased down Melbourne Stars' total of 195/6, finishing on 199/6. The match was played at The Gabba in Brisbane.
Who was Player of the Match in the Heat vs Stars BBL game?
M Bryant was named Player of the Match for Brisbane Heat. Bryant's contribution came during the chase, with the Heat scoring 79 runs for just 1 wicket in the death overs to seal the win.
What is the head-to-head record between Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars?
Across 21 BBL meetings, Brisbane Heat lead the series 13 wins to 8, with no abandoned matches. The Heat have been particularly strong at The Gabba in this fixture, winning by 103 runs and by 4 runs in the 2023 BBL season.
Where can I watch BBL matches in the UK?
The Big Bash League is broadcast in the UK on BT Sport and available via streaming through the BT Sport app. Coverage schedules vary given the Australian time zones, so matches often air in the early hours UK time or are available on catch-up.
What is The Gabba like as a T20 venue?
The Gabba has hosted 129 T20 matches and produces high-scoring games on average, with a first-innings average of 215 and a second-innings average of 200. Teams chasing win 52 per cent of the time there, and the death overs tend to be productive, with an average of 31 runs in that phase.
What was Melbourne Stars' recent form coming into this match?
Melbourne Stars had been in excellent form before this fixture, winning four BBL matches in a row against Sydney Thunder, Sydney Sixers, Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes. Brisbane Heat, by contrast, had won only 2 of their previous 5 games.
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Photo credits (3)
- Pat Cummins — photo by SirWellsy99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- David Warner — photo by YellowMonkey/Blnguyen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Mitchell Johnson — photo by YellowMonkey/Blnguyen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source