In a high‑octane Big Bash League encounter at The Gabba, Brisbane, the Brisbane Heat secured a memorable 7‑wicket victory over the Sydney Thunder in Match 29 of the 2025‑26 season on Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Match Scorecard Summary
Sydney Thunder Innings
🏏 180/6 in 20 overs
• David Warner (c) – 82 runs off 56 balls (top score)
• Sam Billings – 34 runs
Thunder set a competitive total thanks mainly to Warner’s classy innings, but it wasn’t enough to defend.
Brisbane Heat Chase
🏏 183/3 in 16.2 overs (Target 181)
• Usman Khawaja – 78 runs off 48 balls (Player of the Match)
• Matt Renshaw – 42 runs
Heat chased down the target with ease, sealing the victory with 22 balls to spare.
Key Performances
⭐ Usman Khawaja (Brisbane Heat)
Khawaja was the star of the show, anchoring the Heat’s chase with a powerful 78‑run knock that included crisp boundaries and smart rotation of strike. His batting kept the required run rate in check and put Brisbane in a winning position early.
⭐ David Warner (Sydney Thunder)
Veteran Thunder captain David Warner led the scoring for his side with an impressive 82 runs, trying to build a defendable total. Despite his effort, the Thunder’s bowling unit couldn’t stop the Heat’s aggressive chase.
Match Impact & Turning Points
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Winning the toss and setting a total of 180 seemed promising for Sydney Thunder, especially with Warner’s fierce innings at the top.
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However, Brisbane Heat’s batting depth proved decisive, with Khawaja and Renshaw pacing the chase brilliantly.
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Heat’s bowlers struck early and kept Thunder under pressure, giving the chasers a clear path to victory.
What This Means for Both Teams
✔ Brisbane Heat — The win boosts their standings and confidence in the BBL points table as they push toward the finals.
✔ Sydney Thunder — Despite Warner’s effort, they’ll need tighter bowling and support from middle‑order batsmen to stay competitive in the tournament.
Match Scorecard at a Glance
Sydney Thunder: 180/6 (20 overs)
Brisbane Heat: 183/3 (16.2 overs)
Result: Brisbane Heat won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Heat)
