Playing XI of Sydney Thunder – Rachael Haynes, Rachel Priest (wk), Naomi Stalenberg, Alex Blackwell (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Stafanie Taylor, Nicola Carey, Rene Farrell, Maisy Gibson, Samantha Bates, Belinda Vakarewa
Playing XI of Brisbane Heat – Beth Mooney (wk), Grace Harris, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Kirby Short (c), Jess Jonassen, Sune Luus, Delissa Kimmince, Laura Wolvaardt, Laura Harris, Jemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett
Toss – Won by Sydney Thunder Women and elected to bat first
1st Innings Summary – Proving their captain’s decision right, both the openers of Sydney Thunder played shots from the word go and made 89 runs in the first ten overs without losing any wicket. Just then, Sammy-Jo Johnson got both the settled batters out on consecutive deliveries and it appeared for a while that the run rate would go down as two new batters were on the crease now. But India’s sensational Harmanpreet Kaur started from where she had left in the previous match playing ruthless innings of 56 runs off just 26 balls and together with skipper Alex Blackwell built a 53-run partnership in just 4.3 overs before getting caught by Delissa Kimmince on the third ball of 20th over.
2nd Innings Summary – Brisbane Heat batters showed their intent of competing confidently right from the beginning as wicketkeeper opener Beth Mooney struck a four on the very first ball before getting caught on the fourth ball of the same over. But, opener Grace Harris kept scoring quickly on the other end and made 54 runs off just 28 balls including four 4s and five 6s. The thinking and planning of Brisbane batters was right but the wickets were felling just at crucial times. Captain Kirby Short got a good start but was caught by Harmanpreet Kaur in the 11th over and Delissa Kimmince’s brilliant innings met an unfortunate end when Blackwell got her run out. Good batting efforts by tail-enders Jemma Barsby and Haidee Birkett were not enough to successively chase down the huge target.
Player of the match – Harmanpreet Kaur for her all-round performance in all the three departments of the game. She struck six 4s and three powerful 6s, took one wicket and caught two batters out.
Brief scorecard:
Sydney Thunder Women – 192/4 (20 overs)
Brisbane Heat Women – 164/10 (18.5 overs)
Result – Sydney Thunder Women won by 28 runs
‘Gully’ cricket player and close observer of Indian Cricket team and it’s matches. Straight forward and still socially admirable personality. Strong belief in teamwork and possess high leadership skills.