Heat hold on to beat Strikers at the Gabba

The Brisbane Heat have beaten the Adelaide Strikers in a close game at the Gabba.

Bowling first gave the dangerous duo of Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown first go on a new Queensland pitch, with plenty of bounce and movement to work with. 

The Brisbane Heat got off to a very good start hitting 9 off the first over.  

Barsby in her homecoming to Queensland got proceedings under way for the Strikers – having Grace Harris caught in the deep for 33.

The bowling partnership of Amanda-Jade Wellington and Brown put a strangle hold on the run-rate, assisted by outstanding fielding.  

Captain Tahlia Mcgrath utilised consistent bowling changes, keeping the Heat batters on their toes and preventing them from entering any rhythm. The pressure resulted in the wicket of Redmayne for 7 from 16 deliveries.

Jess Jonassen and Jemimah Rodrigues (61) saw to rebuild the innings and increase the run-rate. However, Barsby continued her great season and proved difficult to get away.

After a quick start, the Heat found themselves 2/70 at drinks, unable to beat the fielders and find the boundary rope. 

Rodrigues got a life on 17, with captain Tahlia Mcgrath overstepping on a ball that had the Heat batter caught in the deep. Rodrigues made sure to make the most of her second chance, hitting 12 from the following Wellington over.

The Heat activated the power surge at the 12-over mark, and it had an immediate effect. Led by the Jonassen, the Heat hit 14 from the first. However, she couldn’t replicate it in the second, nicking off for 32, Darcie Brown with the important breakthrough.

Katie Mack continued to make her case as one of the best outfielders in the WBBL, safely holding onto a powerful shot from Laura Harris (5), giving Wellington her first wicket.

Charlie Knott, player of the match in the opening round between these sides, partnered with Rodrigues to help boost their total. Rodrigues brought up 50 as Knott was dismissed hauling out to Mack in the outfield from the bowling of Barsby.

A cameo by Nadine de Klerk (23) saw the Heat post 6/175, the highest score ever at the Gabba for the WBBL.

The new opening partnership for the Adelaide Strikers, Mack (4) and Smriti Mandhana (6), began the chase fighting against movement off the deck and through the air, the ball assisted by the humid Brisbane night. Mack was dismissed slicing a ball to mid-on, with Mandhana following her an over later.

The combination of Wolvaardt (3) and Mcgrath (25) didn’t last long, with the South African captain being bowled by a wonderful seaming ball from Hancock.

The visitors attempted to wrestle the innings back into their favour, but was unable to get on top of the Heat bowlers, led by clever bowling from Jonassen.

With the required run-rate increasing, Mcgrath went after the young leg-spinner Grace Parsons, hitting her for 3 consecutive boundaries in the ninth over.    

Mcgrath attempted to continue her aggression but was eventually stumped down the leg-side, thanks to some fantastic glove-work from Georgia Redmayne.   

The power surge proved fruitful for the Strikers, hitting 11 from the first over and 12 from the second, adding to an eventual unbeaten 113-run partnership between Penna (59*) and Patterson (61*).

Patterson, on her return from injury, played the ball all around the ground, while Penna used her strength and power to pierce the inner ring.  

With three overs to go, the Strikers required 44 to win, with Penna and Patterson set. Penna turned a gear and started to fire on all cylinders, hitting the boundary with ease and striking at over 200, bringing her 50 up with a flurry of boundaries. 

In the end, the total proved too much, with the Heat winning by eight runs.

The Adelaide Strikers next game is on Monday 11 November against the Melbourne Renegades at Karen Rolton Oval.

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