Records fell in every direction as the Brisbane Heat pulled off one of the most astonishing victories the Big Bash League has ever seen, chasing down a mountain target to beat the Perth Scorchers by eight wickets with a single delivery remaining.
Matt Renshaw and Jack Wildermuth were the architects of the chaos, both producing extraordinary centuries as Brisbane overhauled a staggering 257 in what now stands as the BBL’s greatest successful run chase.
The carnage began earlier in the evening when the Scorchers, powered by Finn Allen and Cooper Connolly, tore into the Heat attack to post a franchise-best 257 for 6 in front of a stunned Gabba crowd of 24,277. Allen blazed 79 from just 38 balls while Connolly matched him with a 77 off 37, as Perth launched a relentless assault.
Eighteen sixes flew from Scorchers’ bats — a new BBL record — eclipsing their own previous best of 17. That milestone, however, barely lasted an innings. Brisbane responded with 18 maximums of their own, pushing the match tally to an unprecedented 36 sixes. The combined 515 runs marked the first time a BBL fixture has breached the 500-run mark.
Despite the fireworks, the mood around the Heat looked grim late in the first innings. Captain Nathan McSweeney suffered a painful-looking left ankle injury after his leg buckled while attempting a catch, ruling him out of the contest. The setback continued in the chase when Colin Munro fell first ball, and Jhye Richardson appeared to have Matt Renshaw caught down the ground to leave Brisbane reeling at 36 for 2.
What followed was the turning point of the night. Replays revealed Richardson had overstepped, dragging Renshaw back from the pavilion and breathing life into the chase.
From there, the match transformed into something scarcely believable. Renshaw, playing with freedom and fury, and Wildermuth, batting well beyond anything he had previously shown in the competition, dismantled the Scorchers’ bowling with ruthless efficiency. Their partnership swelled to a record-breaking 212 runs, flipping the game on its head and leaving Perth scrambling for answers.
Renshaw hammered 102 from 51 balls, launching nine sixes before being run out late in the chase. Wildermuth went even further, remaining unbeaten on a stunning 110 from 54 deliveries, an innings that included nine towering maximums — a far cry from his previous highest BBL score of 31. He was given a lifeline on 42 when Ashton Turner spilled a chance, a miss that proved brutally costly.
The tension peaked in the final over when Max Bryant, who had chipped in with a rapid 28, was forced to retire hurt after appearing to dislocate his left shoulder while turning for a run. With the pressure dialled up, Wildermuth stayed composed, striking the decisive runs with one ball left to seal a victory that will live long in BBL folklore.
“I still don’t really believe it,” Renshaw said afterwards. “It’s a pinch-me moment — lots of goosebumps. A lot of people probably thought we were out of it, and maybe we did too early on. But it was just about trusting ourselves and never giving in.”
Earlier, Perth’s innings had looked destined to be match-winning. Mitch Marsh fell cheaply again, but Allen — dropped twice on his way to his highest BBL score — punished the Heat with eight sixes and three fours. Connolly, continuing his strong start to the season, struck six sixes and six fours for his second straight half-century.
“It’s an unbelievable game for Big Bash cricket,” Connolly said after the defeat. “It’s exciting, even if we weren’t on the right side of it. Credit to Renshaw and Wildermuth — they were outstanding.”
In a league known for drama, this night stood apart. Records shattered, momentum swung wildly, and Brisbane pulled off a chase that redefined what was thought possible in the BBL.
