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

The Hurricanes are on track in the run chase after Test star Marnus Labuschagne smashed a half-century 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.

The Hurricanes are on track in the run chase after Test star Marnus Labuschagne smashed a half-century for the Heat in a BBL match delayed by an electrical fire.

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.

Matthew Kuhnemann sprinted from the field after the ball was smashed into his thumb while bowling the 18th over.

Earlier, a bizarre fire from the DJ deck in the Eastern stand of the Gabba, just under the big screen, has given the Brisbane Heat a much needed break after Hobart thumped their way to 0-47 after four overs.

Hurricanes openers Caleb Jewell (25 not out) and Mitchell Owen (20 not out) were torching the Heat before a Carbon Dioxide extinguisher was needed to put out the fire.

Spectators were forced to get up from their seats located close to the DJ deck where an electrical fire caused smoke aplenty.

The fire has been put out and the game has resumed with Hobart requiring 155 from 96 balls (at the time of writing).

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

Just when you think #bbl14 has had it all the DJ deck at the Gabba catches fire 🤯

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 16, 2025

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

Earlier, the additions of Border-Gavaskar Trophy winning duo Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja have provided the anticipated boost needed to propel the Heat towards a much needed victory at the Gabba.

The Hobart Hurricanes require 202 runs to win at the innings break after Khawaja’s quick start (23, nine balls) and Labuschagne’s personal best score of 77 launched Brisbane onto the front foot in front of more than 25000 fans.

After an early onslaught by opener Khawaja delivered the Heat’s highest scoring powerplay this season (43 runs), his Queensland Bulls and Australian teammate Labuschagne kept applying pressure with his innate ability to penetrate gaps in the field.

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

The first drop bat entered the middle early (1-9) when Nathan McSweeney was dismissed cheaply for one and responded to Hobart’s bowlers in exuberant fashion, belting eight fours and two sixes in a vital 44-ball showcase that has given Brisbane a down payment on victory.

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

Wicket-keeper batsman Tom Allsop added 39 runs (27 balls) and Matt Renshaw 40 (25 balls) to give the Brisbane bowling attack plenty of breathing room heading into their fielding innings.

Khawaja will captain the side with Colin Munro out injured, while English all-rounder Paul Walter is also cleared to return.

Heat fans will hope they can bring the same impact as fellow Test star Steve Smith, who has smashed a century and half-century in his two appearances for the Sixers.

Australian Test batter Marnus Labuschagne returns for the Heat at the Gabba. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The Hurricanes will be without paceman Billy Stanlake as they strive to finish atop the table.

Stanlake was ruled out for the remainder of the BBL season after injuring his shoulder taking a diving catch, and is a big loss for a team which has lost just once this campaign.

Billy Stanlake injured his shoulder taking this catch. Picture: Getty Images

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

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