In a nail-biting contest at The Gabba, Brisbane Heat defeated Adelaide Strikers by 8 runs in Match 20 of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024. Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, the Strikers faced a powerful batting display from Brisbane Heat, who posted an impressive total in their allotted 20 overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues sizzles with the bat
Brisbane Heat Women got off to a cautious start with Georgia Redmayne struggling for rhythm, scoring just 7 off 16 balls. However, Grace Harris quickly shifted the momentum, striking 33 off 22 deliveries, which included six boundaries and one six. Following her departure, Jemimah Rodrigues took charge, anchoring the innings with a superb 61 off 40 balls, decorated with seven fours and one six.
Jess Jonassen added a quickfire 32 off 21 balls, keeping the run rate high with six boundaries. Towards the end, Nadine de Klerk’s cameo of 23 runs off 10 balls boosted Brisbane’s total to a challenging 175/6. The Adelaide bowlers faced some stiff resistance, with Jemma Barsby being the most successful, taking 2 wickets for 34 runs in her four overs.
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Adelaide Strikers’ valiant chase falls short
Chasing a daunting target of 176, the Strikers’ innings stumbled early, losing Katie Mack, Smriti Mandhana, and Laura Wolvaardt cheaply. At 13/3, the Strikers were in deep trouble, but Tahlia McGrath (25 off 24) and Bridget Patterson (61 off 47) revived the innings with a solid partnership. Patterson’s aggressive stroke play kept the Strikers in the game, hitting five fours and two sixes.
Madeline Penna‘s rapid 59 off 30 balls reignited hopes for the Strikers, as she struck ten boundaries with confidence. However, the target ultimately proved too steep, as they managed to reach 167/4 by the end of 20 overs, falling short by just 8 runs.
Brisbane’s bowlers delivered under pressure, with Shikha Pandey, Charli Knott, Nicola Hancock, and De Klerk each taking crucial wickets. Knott was particularly economical, conceding only 14 runs in her two overs. Pandey also impressed with figures of 1/32 from her four overs, helping to restrict Adelaide in the final stages.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
