The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed a clinical performance from Brisbane heat how they overcame Melbourne Stars in game 4 of Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25. Led by a sensational knock from Jimmy Peirson, the Heat chased down the target of 164 runs with ease, winning by 8 wickets and 11 balls to spare.
Melbourne Stars record competitive total
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the Brisbane Heat bowlers did well to restrict the Melbourne Stars to 162/6 in their 20 overs. The Stars’ innings got off to a rough start, with opener Thomas falling early for just 1 run off 4 balls. However, Joe Clarke steadied the ship with a composed 32 off 23 balls, while Sam Harper emerged as the standout batsman, scoring 46 off 36 balls with 4 fours and a six.
Captain Marcus Stoinis provided some fireworks in the middle overs with a spirited 26 off 17 balls, including two towering sixes, but failed to convert his start. Hilton Cartwright (15 off 14) and Beau Webster (28 off 19) added vital runs to take the Stars past the 160 mark.
The Heat players impressed, with Xavier Bartlett leading the attack. Bartlett returned figures of 3/25 in his four overs, dismantling the Stars top order. Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson was equally effective, conceding just 15 runs in his four overs while picking up one wicket. Tom Whitney and Matthew Kuhnemann contributed a wicket each, keeping the Stars’ scoring in check.
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Jimmy Peirson leads Brisbane Heat’s chase
In response, the Brisbane Heat made their intentions clear from the start. Jack Wood gave a good start to the chase, smashing 27 runs off 21 balls, including 3 fours and a six. His initial association with Jimmy Peirson established a solid platform before Wood was sacked by Hamish McKenzie.
Peirson, however, was the star of the evening. The Heat captain showed his class and composure, anchoring the chase with a brilliant 72 not out off 56 balls. Their innings were laced with five boundaries and two sixes, effectively neutralizing the Stars’ bowling attack. Peirson found support from Max Bryant, who played a tremendous knock of 36 off 22 balls, hitting 3 fours and a six.
Peirson appropriately scored the winning runs, sealing his team’s victory with 3 runs off the first ball of Tom Curran’s over.
The Stars pitchers struggled to make an impact, and none of them managed to consistently bother the Heat hitters. Marcus Stoinis was the pick of the bowlers, taking 1/20 in his four overs. Hamish McKenzie also took a wicket but leaked 42 runs in his full quota. Adam Milne and Curran failed to provide the breakthroughs needed to defend the total.
This is how X fans reacted:
It’s good to be back🔥#HeatWIN #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/l8KdW6GFA9
– Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) December 18, 2024
It’s an incredible win for the Brisbane Heat. No Johnson, no Munro and we beat the Stars by 8 wickets with 11 balls remaining!!#BBL14
—Mike Scolz (@skulzy87) December 18, 2024
Brisbane Heat made that chase look easy even without some players missing from the lineup. This is a perfect way to start our title defense this season 💪. #BBL14
— Cherrykie (@CherrykieMás) December 18, 2024
Brisbane Heat defeated Melbourne Stars by 8 wickets 🏏#Cricket #BigBashLeague #BBL2024 pic.twitter.com/SHrCFCP8jo
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 18, 2024
Brisbane Heat won by 8 wickets (with 11 balls remaining) pic.twitter.com/FXQwn5Vf9j
– Ewan Harris (@ehbeepbop) December 18, 2024
THE HEAT OF BRISBANE NEVER IN DOUBT #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/a7iFRZ8rtN
– Chris (@Vossy7) December 18, 2024
Fantastic game for Brisbane Heat, especially with some newer players. Great job by Peirson 🤩🔥
-Megan Porter (@meganporter91) December 18, 2024
Jimmy Peirson wins Man of the Match award 🥇#Cricket #BigBashLeague #BBL2024 pic.twitter.com/cccU3SCFki
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 18, 2024
Jimmy Peirson’s highest BBL score gets Heat home with ease 🔥 #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/KIFCu6Bdqv
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2024
A big hit from Jimmy Peirson leads the Heat to their first win of the season! #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/uyFjTp7bKV
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 18, 2024