The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024 witnessed a thrilling contest between Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes at the Junction Oval, where the Hurricanes clinched a nail-biting victory, winning by 7 wickets with just two balls to spare. After opting to bat first, Brisbane Heat set a formidable target of 174, only for the Hurricanes to chase it down successfully, showcasing their batting depth and resilience.

Grace Harris helps Brisbane Heat set a competitive target

Batting first, Brisbane Heat posted a competitive score of 173/5 in their 20 overs. Grace Harris led the charge with a scintillating knock, scoring 75 runs off 57 balls, including 10 fours and a six. Her aggressive approach anchored the innings, while Jemimah Rodrigues provided valuable support, contributing 45 runs off just 27 balls with seven boundaries.

Laura Harris’ quick 21 off 11 balls further bolstered the total as the Heat looked to set a challenging target for the Hurricanes. Despite the strong batting display, Hobart Hurricanes bowlers managed to take wickets at crucial moments, with Kathryn Bryce leading the way with 2 wickets for 22 runs in her 3 overs. Heather Graham and Nicola Carey also chipped in with one wicket each to keep Brisbane Heat’s scoring under control.

Danielle Wyatt-Hodge fires in Hobart Hurricanes’ chase

Chasing a daunting target of 174, Hobart Hurricanes’ top order showcased an impressive display of power-hitting and composure. Danielle Wyatt was the standout performer, blasting 62 off 35 balls, including 6 fours and 3 sixes. Wyatt’s partnership with Lizelle Lee, who scored 38 off 25 balls, laid a solid foundation for the chase. After the opening duo set the pace, Elyse Villani (32 off 29 balls) and Graham (26 off 14 balls) took the Hurricanes closer to the target with crucial contributions.

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Carey added a quick 17 runs, maintaining the momentum and setting up the win in the final over. Despite Brisbane Heat’s varied bowling attack, they struggled to contain the aggressive batting of Hobart, with Grace Parsons and Nadine de Klerk the only ones to pick up wickets. Brisbane Heat’s bowlers found it tough to make breakthroughs or control the run flow against an in-form Hurricanes lineup. Nicola Hancock and Shikha Pandey proved expensive, conceding 28 and 26 runs in their two overs, respectively, while Jess Jonassen went wicketless, conceding 30 runs in her 3 overs. Grace Parsons emerged as the most economical bowler, giving away only 15 runs in her 4 overs while picking up a wicket, but her efforts weren’t enough to stem the tide of runs. Charli Knott and Nadine de Klerk each picked up a wicket, but the Hurricanes batters managed to chase down the target in 19.4 overs.

With this win, Hobart Hurricanes Women gained a valuable two points in the tournament. Their ability to chase a challenging total demonstrated their batting depth and strategic acumen. Brisbane Heat, despite a solid batting performance, will be looking to reassess their bowling strategies for future matches. As the tournament progresses, both teams remain strong contenders, making this edition of the WBBL an exciting one to follow.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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