• Melbourne Stars defeated Brisbane Heat in Match 19 of Big Bash League 2024-25.

  • Marcus Stoinis earned the Player of the Match for his batting heroics.

Twitter reactions: Marcus Stoinis, Dan Lawrence shine as Melbourne Stars beat Brisbane Heat to register first win in BBL|14
Melbourne Stars beat Brisbane Heat in BBL14 (Image Source: X)

Table of Contents

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:

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AKSHAT GAUR
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