The landmark 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) is underway, with Charli Knott and Shikha Pandey starring for Brisbane Heat in the curtain raiser, as the defending champions Adelaide Strikers suffer a rocky start to their title defense campaign.
Asked to bat first, the Strikers faced an early setback as Laura Wolvaardt departed for 5 (8) with just 11 runs on the board. Katie Mack then steadied the innings alongside Madeline Penna, adding 30 runs before Penna fell for 14 (16). Skipper Tahlia McGrath joined Mack, and the duo built a crucial 53-run partnership to stabilize the innings.
Mack’s dismissal for 37 (34) was soon followed by Bridget Patterson, who fell cheaply for 7 (10), and Orla Prendergast, who added only 9. Skipper Tahlia remained unbeaten on 51 (41), with Amanda-Jade Wellington (5*) at the other end, as the Strikers posted a modest total of 133/5 in their 20 overs, failing to accelerate. Shikha Pandey impressed on debut for the Heat, leading the bowling with figures of 2/14 (4), while Jess Jonassen (1/16 off 4) and Nicola Hancock (1/30 off 4) bagged a wicket each. Charli Knott’s 2 overs went for just 15 runs, containing the Strikers’ scoring efforts.
In reply, the Heat started strong, with openers Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne putting on a 32-run stand. Redmayne was run out for 11 (11) off the first ball of the 5th over, bringing in Lauren Winfield-Hill. She and Harris added 24 more runs before both were dismissed in quick succession, with Lauren scoring 10 (11) and Grace 29 (25).
Three down with 58 on board after 8.2 overs, skipper Jess Jonassen and Charli Knott rebuilt the innings with a composed 57-run partnership, keeping the Heat in control. Jonassen was dismissed for 21 (20), and a flurry of wickets saw Laura Harris and Nadine de Klerk fall a ball apart in the next over. However, Knott held her ground, finishing unbeaten on 44 (30) and securing a 4-wicket win for the Heat with two overs remaining. For the Strikers, Megan Schutt led the bowling card with figures of 2/27 (4), while Orla Prendergast (1/31 off 4), Jemma Barsby (1/8 off 2), and Anesu Mushangwe (1/15 off 2) chipped in with a wicket each.
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