Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

High-flying Melbourne Stars travel to the Gabba to take on a Brisbane Heat side desperate for a victory.

The Heat sit in sixth place with a poor net run rate of -1.019 following their thrashing at the hands of Adelaide Strikers on New Years’ Eve. Their top order was blown away, and they can ill-afford a repeat against a Stars attack that is firing on all cylinders this season.

The Stars sit pretty atop the table thanks to four wins from four matches. They have chased in all their victories, with their bowlers setting up the match as numerous players contribute. Last time out, they made very light work of the Sydney Thunder, and they will be aiming to do the same to the Heat.

BBL 2025/26 20th Match: HEA vs STA Possible Playing XIs

In a boost for the Brisbane Heat, Nathan McSweeney is available and back in the squad. He should slot in at three.

Brisbane Heat: 1. Colin Munro (OS), 2. Jack Wildermuth, 3. Nathan McSweeney (c), 4. Matt Renshaw, 5. Max Bryant, 6. Hugh Weibgen, 7. Jimmy Peirson (wk), 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Matthew Kuhnemann, 10. Thomas Balkin, 11. Oli Patterson

England batter Sam Hain joins the Stars squad to replace Joe Clarke (hip injury).

Melbourne Stars: 1. Sam Harper (wk), 2. Thomas Rogers, 3. Campbell Kellaway, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Marcus Stoinis (c), 6. Sam Hain (OS), 7. Hilton Cartwright, 8. Tom Curran (OS), 9. Mitchell Swepson, 10. Haris Rauf (OS), 11. Peter Siddle

Gabba Brisbane Pitch Report and Weather

Teams batting first have scored 257 and 179 this season. Brisbane Heat defended 179 against Adelaide Strikers back on December 27 after they chased 258 against the Scorchers. Overall, it has been a terrific batting surface.

Since the start of 2023, pace bowlers have taken 138 wickets in the BBL at the Gabba at an average of 24.31 and economy of 9.09. Spinners have had less success, taking 39 wickets at an average of 42.41 and economy of 8.41.

Some showers are possible during the day in Brisbane, but they are most likely to occur in the late morning and early afternoon according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for HEA vs STA 2025/26: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Sam Harper is enjoying the season of a lifetime. He has scored 194 runs at a strike rate of 157.72, including one fifty and one hundred. He’s been dismissed just once.

Key batter picks:

• Heat need a good innings from Colin Munro. The left-hander has scored 238 runs against the Stars at an average of 59.50 and strike rate of 149.69.
• Matt Renshaw has struck 232 runs at an average of 58.00 and strike rate of 170.6 in T20s at the Gabba since the start of 2025.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Marcus Stoinis has scored 468 runs at an average of 31.20 and strike rate of 152.94 against the Heat. The Stars captain is also in terrific form with the ball this season (7 wickets, SR 10.28).
• Jack Wildermuth has missed out with the bat in recent matches, but he remains a great pick for fantasy cricket as he opens the batting and bowls multiple overs. He smashed 110* off 54 balls at the Gabba earlier this season.
• Tom Curran has taken four wickets in the powerplay this season at a superb economy rate of 8.00. Brisbane Heat have lost seven powerplay wickets.

Key bowler picks:

• Xavier Bartlett loves bowling at the Gabba. Since the start of 2023, Bartlett has taken 24 wickets here at an average of 14.38 and strike rate of 11.25. He has a crucial matchup against Sam Harper, whom he has dismissed twice in 36 balls (42 runs).
• Bartlett has also dominated Marcus Stoinis in T20s: 18 balls, 14 runs, four wickets.
• Haris Rauf is the equal second-highest wicket-taker in BBL 2025/26 with nine wickets. Peter Siddle is close behind with eight.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Nathan McSweeney is a crucial player for the Heat as their batting has blown hot and cold. He has a fine record at the Gabba: 9 inns, 300 runs, avg. 37.50, SR 134.53.
• Glenn Maxwell has faced just 24 balls this season. He looked in good touch against the Thunder (39* off 20 balls) as the Stars gave him some time at the crease at three. Maxwell remains a better pick if the Stars bat first.
• Campbell Kellaway is a solid pick if the Stars bat first. He has 83 runs at an average of 41.50 and strike rate of 122.05 this season.
• Max Bryant enjoys playing against the Melbourne Stars: 9 inns, 282 runs, avg. 56.40, SR 158.43.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 21, Heat 13, Stars 8.
• Heat lead Stars 6-4 in matches at the Gabba.
• Xavier Bartlett vs Stars since 2020: 5 inns, 10 wickets, avg. 9.00, econ. 5.29.
• Glenn Maxwell averages just 19.36 in 14 innings against the Heat.
• Matt Renshaw for the Stars vs Heat: 7 inns, 218 runs, avg. 36.33, SR 132.93.
• Marcus Stoinis vs Max Bryant: 23 balls, 26 runs, one wicket.
• Peter Siddle vs Max Bryant: 41 balls, 50 runs, three wickets.
• Xavier Bartlett vs Hilton Cartwright: 19 balls, 19 runs, no wickets.
• Xavier Bartlett vs Thomas Rogers: Four balls, one runs, one wicket.

BBL 2025/26 20th Match: HEA vs STA Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

BBL 2025/26 20th Match: HEA vs STA Match Prediction – Who will win?

Stars to win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.