BBL, Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes: Aussie Test stars return for defending champions

The Hurricanes retain top spot despite a Marnus Labuschagne half-century in his return for the Heat in a BBL match delayed by an electrical fire. And a member of the Test squad for Sri Lanka could miss the tour with a fresh injury.

A short-handed Hobart Hurricanes have flexed their championship DNA with a frantic five-wicket triumph over Brisbane securing their seventh straight victory and top spot on the BBL ladder.

And a member of our Test squad for Sri Lanka has picked up an injury which will all but rule him out for the tour.

Playing without fast bowler Billy Stanlake, allrounder Chris Jordan and batter Ben McDermott away at the Gabba, Hobart weathered the storm of a Marnus Labuschagne (77) masterclass before chasing down Brisbane’s season-best score of 201 on the final ball of the innings.

Matthew Wade flicked a Xavier Bartlett full toss off his pads for six to cap off arguably the most enthralling finish to any game this season.

With eight runs required off the final four balls, the finals hopes of the Strikers, Scorchers and Renegades were in limbo.

Had Brisbane won, the fate of all three clubs would have been sealed. A four down to the third man boundary, a ramp shot and a six hit later by Wade (15 not out) and Hobart were home.

COSTLY BLOW

Heat Left-arm orthodox bowler Matt Kuhnemann will be in doubt for Australia’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka after he ran off the field showing excruciating pain to his right thumb.

Kuhnemann was looking to end a two-year hiatus from the Test team after he was included in the squad but having sustained a cruel blow to his thumb when bowling his final over, that looks unlikely.

Oh no, that doesn't look great for Matthew Kuhnemann 😬

He was unable to complete the over after a blow to his right thumb.#BBL14pic.twitter.com/oSvURH5NKB

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 16, 2025

He ran off the field, covering his thumb, although the replay suggested a bone was sticking out. Fortunately, it is not his bowling hand.

X-ray scans will reveal the extent of the injury.

MISSED CHANCES

Influential Hurricanes opener Caleb Jewell (76) was granted three lives and made the home side pay. He was dropped on four and 21 by Nathan McSweeney and again on 60 by wicketkeeper Tom Alsop.

After inflicting telling damage alongside opening partner Mitchell Owen (44) and Nikhil Chaudhary (39), Jewell was finally caught by McSweeney off Spencer Johnson and Hobart were 4-168 with 22 balls left.

Less than an over prior, Hobart were 2-166 and flying.

Caleb Jewell, who hammered the Heat attack, was dropped three times. Picture: Getty Images

A huge opportunity presented itself when the game hung in the balance with new batters Tim David (11) and Matt Wade needing 34 from 22.

Brisbane’s fielding was to blame again, with Khawaja forgetting the simple rule of walking in with the bowler. David, on naught, shanked the ball to Khawaja at mid-off but the International star was stuck in the mud and the ball fell agonisingly short.

Those crucial missed chances eclipsed a sub-par fielding effort by Brisbane after Khawaja (23), Matt Renshaw (40), Labuschagne (77) and Alsop (39) gave the Heat attack plenty of cushion.

DJ SET ON FIRE, LITERALLY

A bizarre fire on the DJ deck in the Eastern stand of the Gabba, just under the big screen, turned up the heat when Brisbane couldn’t in the opening stages of their fielding innings.

Play was delayed at The Gabba when a fire broke out in the stands. #BBL14pic.twitter.com/v2J2OktfuF

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2025

Hobart thumped their way to 0-47 after four overs with openers Caleb Jewell (43) and Mitchell Owen (44, 20 balls) torching the home side in an emphatic 80-run opening stand.

A carbon dioxide extinguisher was needed to put out the fire and spectators were forced to get up from their seats located close to the DJ deck where a suspected electrical fire caused smoke aplenty.

A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said there were four crews on scene for a minor fire at the Gabba.

“The fire was put out when we got there,” he said.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were there for “a minute” and no patients were reported.

A stage catches on fire during the BBL match between Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes at The Gabba. Picture: Getty Images

Stars will be keeping a close eye on the outcome, with a Hurricanes win strengthening their chance of a fairytale top four berth.

AUSSIE REPS BRING THE HEAT

The additions of Border-Gavaskar Trophy winning duo Labuschagne and Khawaja provided the spark needed to ignite the Heat, but this time it was in the field where Brisbane failed to fire.

The Hobart Hurricanes were set the daunting challenge of 202 runs after Khawaja (23, nine balls) and Labuschagne (77, 44 balls) gave Brisbane the upper hand in front of more than 30000 fans.

Marnus Labuschagne smashed a quality half-century for the Heat. Picture: Getty Images

After an early onslaught by opener Khawaja produced the Heat’s highest scoring power play this season (43 runs), Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw (40, 25) wowed the crowd.

First drop bat Labuschagne entered the middle early (1-9) when Nathan McSweeney was dismissed cheaply for one and answered the call in exuberant fashion, belting eight fours and two sixes in a match defining 44-ball showcase that brought up Brisbane’s highest total of the season (previously 195 against Strikers).

Labuschagne’s pace and intent running between the wickets helped turn 1s into 2s and his glorious stroke play helped produce a whopping 33 runs in the Heat’s largest power surge of the season.

AT THE PEAK OF HIS POWERS

Baby-faced assassin Matt Renshaw was again impressive for Brisbane with the former Test opener scoring a quick fire 40 from just 25 balls in the first innings.

His fearless and aggressive batting style has given the Heat plenty of punch early (14 sixes) in matches this season and his patterned reverse-sweep was again to the fore as he and his Bulls teammate Labuschagne put Hobart’s bowlers to the sword in a 69-run partnership.

Matthew Renshaw starred for the Heat. Picture: Getty Images

Wicket-keeper batsman Tom Allsop was equally impressive scoring 39 runs (27 balls) in a 85-run stand with Labuschagne that lasted until the final ball.

But the excitement machine was Renshaw, who tempted two off-side fielders with an aerial cut for four on his first ball. It was the first of five boundaries he put away.

Originally published as BBL, Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes: Aussie Test stars return for defending champions