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Record-breaking chase stuns Scorchers
Brisbane Heat achieved the highest successful run chase in Big Bash League history on Friday, defeating Perth Scorchers by eight wickets in a thrilling contest at the Gabba.
Historic partnership fuels Heat's victory
Jack Wildermuth and Matt Renshaw delivered unforgettable performances, smashing centuries to guide Brisbane to a staggering 258-2 with one ball to spare. Their 212-run stand set a new Big Bash record for any wicket, eclipsing the previous best by 44 runs.
Renshaw, who reached his maiden T20 hundred off 48 deliveries, fell for 102 after a mix-up with Wildermuth left him short of his ground. Wildermuth, who had never previously scored a T20 half-century, continued his onslaught to finish unbeaten on 110 from 54 balls, sealing the win with a boundary off the penultimate delivery.
Drama in the final over
The closing stages of the chase were far from straightforward. Max Bryant, who had supported Wildermuth with a brisk 28 off 16, retired hurt after slipping while turning for a third run, leaving Heat needing nine from the last over. Aaron Hardie, tasked with bowling the final over, missed a run-out chance before Wildermuth's boundary and a misfield allowed the Heat to scramble home.
Scorchers post mammoth total
Perth Scorchers had earlier set a daunting target of 258-6, the second-highest score in Big Bash history. Finn Allen led the charge with a 38-ball 79, while Cooper Connolly contributed a rapid 77 off 37 deliveries. The Scorchers' innings was built on aggressive strokeplay, with the pair combining for 15 sixes between them.
Brisbane's bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Xavier Bartlett the only wicket-taker of note, finishing with figures of 2-44.
Records tumble in high-scoring thriller
The match set multiple milestones. The 515 runs scored collectively by both teams marked a new Big Bash record, as did the 36 sixes struck during the contest. It was also the first instance of two batters scoring centuries in the second innings of a T20 match.
Heat's victory was made even more remarkable by the absence of captain Nathan McSweeney, who injured his ankle while fielding and was unable to bat. Despite the setback, Brisbane's top order delivered a masterclass in chasing, defying the odds to surpass Melbourne Stars' previous Big Bash record total of 273-2.
Reactions from the dressing room
"The message at the break was just to trust ourselves. Funnily enough, I hit the ball terribly in the indoor nets during the interval. We had some luck on our side, but knowing how well they batted gave us the confidence that the wicket was excellent and the target was achievable."
Matt Renshaw
Standings update
Both teams now sit on two points from two matches, with Scorchers third in the table and Heat fifth, separated only by net run-rate. The result underscores the unpredictable nature of the Big Bash, where no target seems beyond reach.
