Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers, Friday, 8 January 2027 — 1:45 PM IST, The Gabba, Brisbane
Match 28 of the Big Bash League 2026-27 season is Brisbane Heat against Perth Scorchers on Friday, 8 January 2027, at the Gabba in Brisbane. The first ball is at 1:45 PM IST, which is 1:15 PM PKT and 08:15 UTC, and 6:15 PM local time in Brisbane. It is the fifth BBL|16 match at this ground.
The Gabba is the Heat's home, and home matters more in a return fixture. The Scorchers' six titles make them favourites wherever they play, but Brisbane's two titles — 2012-13 and 2023-24 — were won by a club that knows how to use its own ground. If the Heat learned anything in Perth four days earlier, this is the night to show it.
How both sides arrive in BBL|16
The season begins on Saturday 12 December 2026, so there is no BBL|16 form yet. This is what the Heat and the Scorchers carry into the season.
| Team | Captain | Coach | BBL titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Heat | TBC | James Hopes | 2 (2012-13, 2023-24) |
| Perth Scorchers | TBC (Ashton Turner captained the BBL|15 title win) | Adam Voges | 6 (2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2025-26) |
Brisbane Heat go into BBL|16 with their captaincy still to be confirmed, and James Hopes coaching. The squad announced so far is still filling, so the Heat may look different by the time the season starts. Their two titles are the proof that the club can build a winning side from a squad like this one. The Gabba is the Heat's chance to answer what happened in Perth four days earlier.
The Scorchers are the defending champions with six titles, and Ashton Turner captained the BBL|15 title win, though the BBL|16 captaincy is still to be confirmed. Adam Voges coaches, and Zak Crawley is a new overseas name. Six titles is the league record, and the Scorchers carry it into every ground they visit. A second win over the Heat in a week would show the champions travel as well as they defend at home.
Two points, and a place in the finals race
A win is worth two points, and a no-result is worth one. Ten league games each stand between the sides and the finals.
For the Heat, this is a home game that doubles as a reply. Losing twice to the same side in five days would leave Brisbane chasing the top four; beating the champions at the Gabba would level the season series and change the mood of their whole campaign. For the Scorchers, a second win over the Heat in a week would be a statement of dominance.
The finals start on 19 January with the Qualifier, and the final is on 26 January, Australia Day. With the league stage running to 17 January, every January game carries weight, and a return fixture like this one is where the table starts to separate the contenders from the rest. Net run rate decides tied places, so the margin counts too.
The players who can decide it
These are the four names that can decide it — each links through to a profile.
Usman Khawaja is the first Heat name to watch, and at the Gabba he bats on his home ground. If Khawaja holds the innings together against the champions, the Heat have a total to defend and the crowd behind them.
Xavier Bartlett is the second Heat name to watch, and his bowling at the Gabba is the Heat's best weapon against a Scorchers side that knows how to win away from home. Early wickets from Bartlett would give Brisbane the start they need.
Mitch Marsh is the first Scorchers name to watch, and the champions will look to him to repeat whatever worked in Perth four days earlier. A strong innings from Marsh on the road would confirm that the Scorchers travel as well as they defend at home.
Aaron Hardie is the second Scorchers name to watch, and his all-round game is built for nights like this. If Hardie contributes with bat and ball at the Gabba, the Scorchers' balance looks hard to match over a ten-match season.
Match information
| Ground | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Series | Big Bash League |
| Season | 2026-27, BBL|16 |
| Match Days | Friday, 8 January 2027 |
| Start | 1:45 PM IST · 1:15 PM PKT · 08:15 UTC · 6:15 PM AEST local |
| Points | Winner 2, loser 0 |
The BBL live scores page carries the score while the match is on, and this page will carry the scorecard once it is over.
Frequently asked questions
When does Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers start?
Match 28 is played on Friday, 8 January 2027, at the Gabba in Brisbane, with the first ball at 1:45 PM IST, 1:15 PM PKT and 08:15 UTC. Local time in Brisbane is 6:15 PM. It is the fifth BBL|16 match at the Gabba, and the second meeting of the sides in five days.
Who captains each side in Match 28?
Brisbane Heat's captain for BBL|16 is still to be confirmed, with James Hopes coaching and the squad still filling. The Scorchers' captaincy is also still to be confirmed, though Ashton Turner captained the BBL|15 title win, and Adam Voges coaches the defending champions.
Who are the players to watch in Match 28?
Usman Khawaja and Xavier Bartlett for the Heat, and Mitch Marsh and Aaron Hardie for the Scorchers. Khawaja must hold the Heat innings together at home, Bartlett must take early wickets, and Marsh and Hardie are the champions' men to watch on the road.
What is at stake in Match 28?
Two points go to the winner, one each for a no-result, and the top four reach the finals. A Heat win would level the season series and revive their campaign, while a second Scorchers win in five days would be a statement of dominance over Brisbane.
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