In a match that will be etched into the history of the Big Bash League, the Brisbane Heat completed an astonishing and record-shattering run chase to defeat the Perth Scorchers by eight wickets with a single delivery remaining.
The contest was transformed into an instant classic after the visiting Scorchers, powered by explosive innings from Finn Allen (79) and Cooper Connolly (77), posted a formidable 257 for 6, setting a new franchise benchmark. Their innings featured a league-record 18 sixes, seemingly putting the game beyond reach.
The Heat’s response began disastrously, losing a wicket on the very first ball and their captain to a serious ankle injury in the field. However, the course of the match turned on a pivotal moment when Matt Renshaw, having been caught, was reprieved due to a front-foot no-ball. Seizing the lifeline, Renshaw (102 from 51 balls) combined with Jack Wildermuth (110 not out from 54) in a devastating, unbroken stand of 212 runs.
The pair matched the Scorchers’ earlier feat by also hammering 18 sixes, leading to a staggering match aggregate of 36 maximums—a new BBL record. The Heat’s final tally of 258 for 2 not only secured a famous victory but also smashed the league’s previous highest successful chase, with the combined match total of 515 runs breaching the 500-mark for the first time.
Wildermuth, whose previous best in the competition was 31, played the innings of his life, sealing the win amidst late drama that saw a teammate retire hurt in the final over. Renshaw, reflecting on the victory, described it as a “pinch-me moment” fueled by a resilient team attitude.
Despite the defeat, Scorchers’ batter Cooper Connolly acknowledged the spectacle, stating it was a “hell of a game” and crediting the match-winning partnership. The result stands as one of the most remarkable in the tournament’s history, a breathtaking display of power-hitting and relentless pursuit.