Brisbane Heat, a powerhouse in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), had a season to forget in 2025, unable to win a single match throughout the whole season, a first in the competition’s history and a far cry from the glory days that included titles in 2018 against Sydney Sixers and 2019 versus Adelaide Strikers, alongside runner up finishes in 2023 and 2024.
Right from the beginning, Brisbane’s campaign was hampered by several significant blows. First, the withdrawal of a key top-order-batter, Jemimah Rodrigues, in the middle of the tournament, really hurt the batting stability of the Heat, creating a gap in the lineup that forced the Heat to shuffle their order.
Adding further blows to the squad, star captain and irreplaceable all-rounder Jess Jonassen required surgery to her shoulder. The absence of Jonassen not only meant the loss of a skilled bowler and left-handed batter but also deprived the team of their leader during critical stages of the competition.
The Heat’s misery was further exacerbated by the impending absence of all-rounder Nadine de Klerk, called away on international duty with South Africa. De Klerk’s exit siphoned depth and variety from the squad, weakening the combinations, both in batting and bowling. When Grace Harris joined her on the sidelines, the Heat found themselves lacking several individuals who had played important roles earlier in their season.
Brisbane Heat’s WBBL 2025 campaign was marked by a series of heartbreaking defeats that ultimately defined their winless season. Starting with a narrow loss to Melbourne Renegades by 7 wickets under the DLS method on November 9th, the team struggled to find momentum. Despite competitive efforts, losses against strong contenders like Perth Scorchers by 23 runs and Hobart Hurricanes by 16 runs (DLS) followed closely.
The Heat continued to falter with the loss to Sydney Thunder by 41 runs, standing out as particularly challenging. In matches against Melbourne Stars, and Adelaide Strikers they lost by 18 runs and 6 wickets respectively, frequently falling short by significant margins. A washed-out match versus Sydney Sixers on November 28th provided a rare pause, but the team resumed their disappointing streak with subsequent losses by six wickets to Adelaide and 23 runs to Sydney Thunder.
Heat ended their WBBL 11 campaign on 6 December with a loss by seven wickets to Perth Scorchers. This challenging sequence reflected the team’s battle against injuries and absent key players, which severely hindered their ability to compete consistently. The Heat fought hard but were unable to convert close matches into wins, with the DLS method affecting results in few matches.
The accumulated pressure and squad instability were evident through these fixtures, underscoring a season filled with setbacks rather than triumphs. This campaign exposed the gaps left by injury and international duties, transforming what was once a formidable unit into a team fighting just to remain in contention in a highly competitive league atmosphere.
As much as Brisbane Heat’s 2025 season was about the struggles, it was also a stern lesson in resilience and the management of squads in elite sports. Past performances by the team have shown what they are capable of if fit and firing on all cylinders. To rebuild from this torrid season, fresh strategies will be needed, with reinforcements and perhaps the return of key players who have been out injured.
This result will be disappointing for the Heat and its fans, but the scars of this rugged campaign could also be the springboard for determination anew. The WBBL is fiercely competitive, meaning every team will have their challenges, but the legacy of Brisbane Heat is that they will be keen and prepared to fight their way back among the cream of the league come next season.
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