Brisbane Heat defended 179 to beat Adelaide Strikers by seven runs in a tense Gabba finish
Debutant Tom Balkin sealed the game with a double-wicket final over under pressure
Heat skipper Xavier Bartlett named Player of the Match for his magnificent bowling
Brisbane Heat held their nerve in a gripping finish at the Gabba, edging past Adelaide Strikers by seven runs in a Big Bash League contest that swung wildly in the final overs. Defending 179, the Heat looked in control before the Strikers threatened to steal the game late, only for a brilliant closing spell to flip the script once more and seal a dramatic home win.
The turning point came at the death, with debutant quick Tom Balkin thrown the ball for the final over after an injury scare to Shaheen Afridi. Showing composure beyond his years, the 21-year-old struck immediately and then mixed his pace cleverly to claim two wickets in the over, shutting the door on Adelaide’s chase.
His effort capped a crucial late surge from the Heat, who picked up five wickets for just 16 runs in the last three overs, halting the Strikers just when momentum seemed to be swinging their way.
Earlier, Adelaide had stayed alive thanks to Matt Short’s fluent 63 off 39, while Jerrssis Wadia’s late hitting briefly turned the contest on its head. For Brisbane, Max Bryant’s 63 off 32 provided the backbone of a competitive total, while skipper Xavier Bartlett led superbly with 3 for 26, earning Player of the Match honours.
Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers, BBL 2025-26: Toss Update
Adelaide Strikers captain Matthew Short won the toss and opted to bowl first in today’s Big Bash League 2025-26 Match 13.
Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers, BBL 2025-26: Playing XIs
Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro, Jack Wildermuth, Matt Renshaw, Hugh Weibgen, Tom Alsop, Max Bryant, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Xavier Bartlett (c), Shaheen Afridi, Matthew Kuhnemann, Thomas Balkin.
Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short (c), Chris Lynn, Mackenzie Harvey, Liam Scott, Jamie Overton, Harry Manenti, Harry Nielsen (wk), Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood, Hasan Ali, Lloyd Pope.
Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers, BBL 2025-26: Full Squads
Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro, Jack Wildermuth, Matt Renshaw, Hugh Weibgen, Tom Alsop, Max Bryant, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Xavier Bartlett (c), Shaheen Afridi, Liam Haskett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Thomas Balkin, Lachlan Hearne, Ollie Patterson.
Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short (c), Chris Lynn, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Jamie Overton, Harry Nielsen (wk), Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood, Henry Thornton, Hasan Ali, Lloyd Pope, Mackenzie Harvey, Harry Manenti.
Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers, BBL 2025-26: Live Streaming Details
The Big Bash League 2025-26 matches, including Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers, will be live-streamed in India on the JioHotstar app and website. Television broadcasts will take place on the Star Sports Network channels in the country.
