Charli Knott’s sensational century powered Brisbane Heat Women to a thrilling 14-run victory over Adelaide Strikers Women in the 10th match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026 at Sydney on November 5. Knott’s explosive innings helped Brisbane post a formidable total before Laura Wolvaardt and Madeline Penna mounted a spirited chase for Adelaide. However, the Heat held their nerve in the closing stages to secure an important win.
Brisbane Heat Women got off to a promising start after Grace Harris and Charli Knott stitched together a 57-run opening partnership. Harris provided early momentum with 22 off 18 deliveries, striking four boundaries before Eleanor Larosa dismissed her, with Bridget Patterson taking the catch. Knott, meanwhile, continued to find the gaps and kept the scoring rate healthy.
Georgia Redmayne joined Knott at the crease, but the captain could not make a significant contribution. Redmayne managed just seven off 11 balls before Sophie Ecclestone trapped her leg-before-wicket, leaving Brisbane at 89/2 in 11.1 overs. Knott, however, remained firmly in control and continued to dominate the Adelaide bowling attack.
Yastika Bhatia then partnered Knott to build a crucial 65-run stand for the third wicket. The duo accelerated the innings considerably, with Knott reaching her century in spectacular fashion. Her 104 off just 61 deliveries featured 12 fours and four sixes, making it the defining innings of the contest. The partnership ended when Knott was run out at 154 in the 17.5-over mark. Bhatia followed shortly after, falling to another run-out for 16 off 18 balls, leaving Brisbane at 156/4.
Annie O’Neil and Orla Prendergast provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 28-run partnership. O’Neil smashed 13 off seven balls, while Prendergast contributed a quickfire 16 off just six deliveries. Their late acceleration took Brisbane Heat Women to 184/4 in 20 overs, setting Adelaide Strikers Women a challenging target of 185.
Adelaide Strikers began their chase on a difficult note as Maia Bouchier departed for a duck off four balls, caught by O’Neil off Lucy Hamilton’s bowling. Laura Wolvaardt, however, looked determined to take the game away from Brisbane, finding boundaries regularly and keeping Adelaide in contention.
Tahlia McGrath joined Wolvaardt, and the pair added 30 runs for the second wicket before McGrath was dismissed for 13 off 16 deliveries. Georgia Bhatia took the catch off Sarah Glenn’s bowling, leaving Adelaide at 64/2 in 8.2 overs.
Wolvaardt continued her impressive innings, building a valuable 77-run partnership with Madeline Penna. The South African batter showcased her class with a brilliant 75 off 48 balls, hitting nine fours, before Charli Knott dismissed her at 141 in the 16.1-over mark. Penna took responsibility for the chase and kept Adelaide’s hopes alive with aggressive strokeplay.
Bridget Patterson contributed four off five balls before Grace Harris bowled her at 146/4. Penna continued to fight, but the required rate kept climbing. Her outstanding 68 off 45 deliveries, featuring seven fours and four sixes, ended on the final ball of the innings when she was caught by Sianna Ginger off Grace Harris. Ellie Johnston remained unbeaten on four off seven balls as Adelaide finished at 170/5, falling 14 runs short.
Sarah Glenn was the standout bowler for Brisbane Heat, claiming two wickets for just 19 runs in four overs. Grace Harris also picked up two wickets, conceding 19 runs in two overs, while Lucy Hamilton finished with 1/26 from four overs. Catherine White bowled one over for 10 runs, and Sianna Ginger conceded 41 runs in three overs. Charli Knott returned figures of 0/26 from four overs, while Lily Bassingthwaighte conceded 29 runs in two overs.
For Adelaide, Sophie Ecclestone was economical, taking 1/18 in four overs. Eleanor Larosa claimed 1/48 in four overs, while Megan Schutt conceded 36 runs without a wicket. Amanda-Jade Wellington also went wicketless, giving away 36 runs in four overs. Tahlia McGrath bowled two overs for 28 runs, Ella Wilson conceded 10 in one over, and Madeline Penna delivered one over for six runs.
Charli Knott’s magnificent century and Brisbane Heat’s composed bowling performance ultimately proved decisive, as the Heat secured a memorable WBBL victory despite Adelaide’s determined batting effort.
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