When Marizanne Kapp stepped up to the crease on a humid Brisbane evening, the Melbourne Stars Women were clinging to playoff hopes. By the time she walked off, having smashed 93 off just 58 balls, those hopes had turned into a reality — and the Brisbane Heat Women were left still searching for their first win of the season. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at their home ground in Brisbane, the Stars posted 171/8 in 20 overs and then held off a late surge to win by 18 runs, dashing the Heat’s fading chances in the Women's Big Bash League 2025-26 season (WBBL|11).
A Batting Masterclass on a Fast Pitch
The pitch at the Brisbane venue — though unnamed — was playing fast and true, offering bounce and pace that favored aggressive strokeplay. With humidity clinging to the air at 82% and a 22.86 mph wind swirling through the stands, the conditions were ripe for high scores. Melbourne’s openers fell early, but Kapp, the South African all-rounder, didn’t flinch. She arrived at the crease with the scoreboard at 32/3 and proceeded to rebuild, then explode. Her 93 included 10 fours and 7 sixes, many of them dispatched over long-on and deep midwicket with terrifying ease. She reached her fifty in 34 balls and kept accelerating, turning the pressure back onto Brisbane’s attack.The 7th-wicket partnership with DR Gibson was the engine of the innings. With the team at 61/6 at the drinks break, many expected a collapse. Instead, Kapp and Gibson added 50 runs in just 42 balls, turning a shaky total into a competitive one. The Stars crossed 100 in 14.5 overs and 150 in 18.4 overs, thanks largely to Kapp’s composure under pressure. Even when she was finally caught at long-on off a slower ball from Sergeant, the damage was done.
Brisbane’s Fight Wasn’t Enough
The Heat, winless in WBBL|11 heading into this match, began their chase with promise. Openers CR Knott and GM Harris raced to 50 in just 6.3 overs, with seven extras helping their cause. But the momentum stalled after a pivotal moment in the 6.4 over. Harris was given out lbw to N James — a decision Brisbane reviewed. The replay showed the ball clipping the outside edge, but the umpire’s call stood. That moment, as much as any, shifted the game. The Heat never fully recovered.Despite a gritty 38 from Jess Jonathan and a late cameo from Hamilton, who cracked a four with a controlled edge, the Heat’s middle order collapsed under pressure. Their innings ended at 153/9, with ML Gibson and Sergeant combining for three crucial wickets. The fielding — described in match highlights as “terrific” — included a stunning one-handed catch at first slip that ended a dangerous-looking partnership.
Why This Win Matters
For Melbourne, this wasn’t just about points. It was about belief. With the top four in the WBBL|11 table tightly contested, this win lifted them into the top three, keeping their finals hopes alive. The Stars have now won four of their last five matches, and Kapp’s performance has turned her into the tournament’s most feared batter. Meanwhile, Brisbane’s winless streak stretched to eight games — their worst start to a WBBL season since 2018. The pressure is mounting on their coaching staff, and questions are mounting about their batting depth.“It’s not about luck,” said one anonymous Stars player post-match. “It’s about who wants it more. We’ve been through this before — we know how to grind when it counts.”
What’s Next?
Melbourne’s next challenge is a home clash against the Perth Scorchers on November 29, where they’ll look to solidify their finals position. Brisbane, on the other hand, faces a must-win game against the Sydney Thunder on December 1 — a match that could decide whether they’re still in contention or already writing off the season.Meanwhile, Kapp’s 93 stands as the highest individual score in WBBL|11 so far, and the first century-plus knock by a South African in the league’s history. Her impact goes beyond numbers — she’s become the emotional anchor for a team that needed someone to step up.
Behind the Numbers
- Marizanne Kapp: 93 runs (58 balls), 10 fours, 7 sixes, strike rate 160.34
- Melbourne Stars total: 171/8 in 20 overs (10.2 overs at 8+ runs per over after 10th over)
- Brisbane Heat total: 153/9 in 20 overs
- Powerplay 1: Melbourne 28/2 | Brisbane 33/0
- Key partnership: Kapp & Gibson — 50 runs in 42 balls (7th wicket)
- Match referee: Joanne Broadbent (Australia)
- Umpire review: Brisbane’s challenge against GM Harris dismissed as umpire’s call
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Marizanne Kapp’s performance compare to other big scores in WBBL history?
Kapp’s 93 is the highest individual score of WBBL|11 and ranks among the top 10 in league history. Only three players have scored higher: Ellyse Perry (112*), Beth Mooney (108), and Alyssa Healy (105). But Kapp’s strike rate of 160.34 makes it the most explosive top score by a non-Australian batter in WBBL history.
Why has Brisbane Heat struggled so badly in WBBL|11?
Brisbane’s batting has lacked consistency, with only two players averaging over 25 this season. Their spin attack, once a strength, has been exposed on fast pitches like the one in this match. They’ve lost six of their last seven games by more than 15 runs, suggesting deeper issues with strategy and pressure handling.
What impact does this win have on Melbourne Stars’ finals chances?
The win moved Melbourne into third place on the WBBL|11 table, just one point behind second-placed Sydney Sixers. With three games left, they control their own destiny — a win in their next two matches guarantees a top-two finish and a home final. Their bowling unit, led by Gibson and Sergeant, has now conceded under 150 in four of their last five games.
How did the pitch conditions influence the match outcome?
The Fast & Bounce pitch favored batters early, which is why Brisbane’s openers raced to 50 in under seven overs. But as the ball aged, the pace bowlers — especially Melbourne’s ML Gibson — found extra bounce and seam movement. Spinners struggled, which hurt Brisbane’s middle-order stability. The conditions played directly into Melbourne’s strengths.
Who were the key officials in the match, and were there any controversial decisions?
Australian umpire N James officiated on-field, with Joanne Broadbent as match referee. The only major controversy came in the 6.4 over, when Brisbane reviewed GM Harris’s lbw dismissal. The replay showed the ball brushing the edge — but since the system couldn’t confirm it beyond doubt, the original ‘umpire’s call’ stood. It was a turning point.
Is this the first time a South African player has dominated a WBBL match like this?
No — Kapp herself scored a 91 in WBBL|08 and has been a consistent force. But this is her highest score in the league and the first time a South African batter has carried her team to victory with such a high strike rate under pressure. She’s now the most impactful overseas player in WBBL history, surpassing even New Zealand’s Sophie Devine in terms of clutch performances.