A whirlwind half century by Craig Kieswetter has helped the Brisbane Heat reach a record 3-209 in their Big Bash League Twenty20 clash with Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Joe Burns (69 off 45 balls) and Dan Christian (70 not out off 40) provided plenty of fireworks to help defending champions Brisbane reach the highest total in the current BBL format, eclipsing the Melbourne Stars’ 7-208 amassed just last week.

But opener Kieswetter’s 50 off 24 balls was a hard act to follow.

The South African-born England import hit three sixes and six fours to reach his half century in 23 balls.

It was the fastest 50 by a Brisbane player in domestic Twenty20 history and just shy of David Warner’s overall record 18-ball half century for NSW in 2009-10.

Ex-Test seamer Ben Hilfenhaus conceded 25 runs in his one over after Kieswetter belted two sixes – including a 103m strike into the Gabba’s top tier – and three fours.

Heat coach Stuart Law – Queensland’s former Test and one-day international batsman – claimed Kieswetter’s towering six was the biggest he had seen at the Gabba.

Kieswetter – a veteran of 46 ODIs and 25 T20Is for England – received a big cheer from the Gabba faithful when he brought up his 50, only to be caught next ball chancing his arm again off spinner Shoaib Malik (1-40).

Christian did his best to upstage his teammate, reaching 50 in 30 balls, while Burns toiled away before being stumped off Xavier Doherty (1-33).

Hobart quick Doug Bollinger (1-27) was released from the Test squad and had Brisbane at 1-6 when he struck in the opening over after Luke Pomersbach (four) played on.