Brisbane Heat Women produced a commanding batting performance to chase down Melbourne Stars Women’s target of 166, securing an eight-wicket victory with seven balls to spare in the 19th match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026 at Melbourne on November 12. Georgia Redmayne and Orla Prendergast were the architects of the successful chase, combining for an unbeaten partnership that completely shifted the momentum in Brisbane’s favour after an early wobble.
Earlier, Melbourne Stars Women got their innings underway with Meg Lanning and Amy Jones providing a steady start. The opening pair built an impressive 108-run partnership, laying a solid foundation for a competitive total. Lanning played a composed knock of 52 off 45 deliveries, striking seven boundaries, while Jones brought greater attacking intent to the other end. The duo kept the scoreboard moving and capitalised on the scoring opportunities before Lanning’s innings came to an end in the 14th over, with Nicola O’Neil taking the catch off Sarah Glenn’s bowling.
Annabel Sutherland joined Jones, but the partnership did not last long as the former departed for just two off four balls, caught by O’Neil off Siana Ginger’s bowling. Melbourne were 113/2 at that stage, and Brisbane managed to pull things back with another timely breakthrough. Jones continued to anchor the innings, bringing up a valuable 74 off 52 deliveries, including 10 boundaries. She was the backbone of the Melbourne Stars batting effort, maintaining a healthy scoring rate and ensuring the innings did not lose momentum following the two wickets. Dani Gibson contributed seven off nine balls before being dismissed by Orla Prendergast, leaving the Stars at 134/3 in 17.1 overs.
Georgia Prestwidge then provided a late flourish, smashing 20 off just eight deliveries, including two boundaries and a six, at an impressive strike rate of 250. However, Jones departed at 148/4 in the 18.4-over mark, with her dismissal providing Brisbane another opportunity to restrict the home side. Prestwidge was subsequently dismissed for 20, bowled by Lucy Hamilton, as Melbourne slipped to 162/5 in 19.4 overs. Charlie Dean remained unbeaten on three off two balls, while Naomi Stalenberg finished unbeaten on one off one delivery. Melbourne Stars eventually posted 165/5 in their allotted 20 overs, with six extras also contributing to their total.
For Brisbane Heat, Siana Ginger was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets for 22 runs in her three overs. Lucy Hamilton, Orla Prendergast and Sarah Glenn picked up one wicket each, conceding 34, 36 and 21 runs respectively. Lily Bassingthwaighte and Charli Knott went wicketless, giving away 20 and 31 runs respectively. The bowling unit had its moments, although the Stars’ strong opening partnership ensured they finished with a challenging total.
In response, Brisbane Heat began their chase with Charli Knott and Grace Harris at the crease. However, Melbourne struck early when Annabel Sutherland dismissed Knott’s opening partner Harris for just two off three deliveries, with Charlie Dean completing the catch. Brisbane were reduced to 14/1 after 1.3 overs, giving the Stars an early opportunity to put pressure on the visitors.
Georgia Redmayne joined Knott and helped stabilise the innings. The pair gradually rebuilt the chase, with Knott contributing 30 off 24 balls, including six boundaries. Their partnership took Brisbane to 61 before Knott was dismissed in the seventh over, bowled by Sutherland. Despite losing two early wickets, the Heat remained well placed to pursue the target.
That was when Redmayne and Prendergast took complete control of the contest. The two batters combined brilliantly, mixing calculated stroke play with timely aggression to keep the required run rate comfortably within reach. Redmayne displayed excellent composure, remaining unbeaten on 74 off 50 deliveries, with 12 boundaries. Her ability to find gaps and maintain the scoring tempo ensured Brisbane never allowed the pressure to build.
At the other end, Prendergast delivered an equally impressive performance, scoring an unbeaten 52 off 36 balls, including six boundaries and a six. The pair stitched together a match-winning unbeaten partnership of 105 runs for the third wicket, completely taking the game away from Melbourne Stars. Their understanding and attacking approach made the chase look increasingly straightforward as Brisbane moved closer to the target.
Brisbane Heat eventually reached 166/2 in 18.5 overs, finishing the chase with seven balls remaining and eight wickets in hand. Redmayne and Prendergast’s outstanding partnership was the defining feature of the innings, while Knott’s contribution provided the platform for the successful chase.
Melbourne Stars’ bowling attack struggled to contain the momentum once the partnership between Redmayne and Prendergast got going. Annabel Sutherland was the most effective bowler, finishing with figures of 1/32 from four overs, while Kim Garth claimed one wicket for 40 runs in 3.5 overs. Sophie Day bowled four overs for 26 runs without taking a wicket, while Charlie Dean conceded 36 runs in her four overs. Maisy Gibson gave away 17 runs in one over, while Dani Gibson conceded 13 runs from two overs, with neither managing a breakthrough.
The result highlighted Brisbane Heat’s batting depth and ability to recover from early setbacks. While Amy Jones’ 74 and Meg Lanning’s half-century had put Melbourne Stars in a strong position, Redmayne and Prendergast ensured their efforts were not enough to prevent defeat. With an unbeaten 105-run partnership and a clinical eight-wicket victory, Brisbane Heat delivered an impressive all-round performance in the Women’s Big Bash League 2026.
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