Kathryn Bryce steered the Hobart Hurricanes alongside Lauren Smith against the Scorchers to seal their spot to the final four in match no. 38 of the 2024 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The 39th match of the season between Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers was washed out without a ball being bowled.
Moving on to the final league game of WBBL 2024, the home side Brisbane Heat led by skipper Jess Jonassen was up against Sydney Sixers led by skipper Ellyse Perry at the Allan Border Field, Brisbane.
Sydney Sixers muster 140 despite strong start
The Sixers openers Melie Kerr (41 off 37 balls) and skipper Ellyse Perry got their side off to a solid start with a 63-run opening stand. Jess Jonassen claimed the battle of the skippers as she sent Ellyse Perry (33 off 34 balls) back to the pavilion to provide the first breakthrough for the Brisbane Heat. The Sixers batters failed to capitalise on the solid platform provided by their openers as they were eventually bundled out for 140 in their quota of overs, losing their last 9 wickets for just 77 runs.
The openers contributed for a significant amount (around 53%) of the team’s total. Wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce (28 off 19 balls) provided the much-needed impetus to the innings. Lucy Hamilton (4-0-21-3), Jess Jonassen (4-0-26-3), and Nicola Hancock (4-0-29-2), were the stand-out performers with the ball for the Brisbane Heat.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Jess Jonassen guide the Heat over the line
Chasing a tricky total of 141, the home side lost the wicket of Grace Harris in the 2nd over of the run chase. Jemimah Rodrigues joined wicket-keeper batter Georgia Redmayne at the crease and the duo took their side past the 50-run mark courtesy of a crucial 49-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Melie Kerr picked up the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the Sydney Sixers.
The Brisbane Heat lost their way a little bit in the run chase, losing their next couple of wickets in quick succession. Skipper Jess Jonassen was joined by Lauren Winfield-Hill and the duo kept their side ahead in the run chase with a 40-run 5th wicket stand. Laura Harris in company with skipper Jess Jonassen took their side over the line with five wickets in hand and three overs to spare.
Jemimah Rodrigues (39 off 22 balls), skipper Jess Jonassen (39* off 29 balls), and wicket-keeper batter Georgia Redmayne (25 off 29 balls), were the star performers with the bat for the Brisbane Heat. Melie Kerr (4-0-30-2), and Caoimhe Bray (4-0-38-2) were the key performers with the ball for the Sydney Sixers.
Skipper Jess Jonassen was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant all-round performance. With the win, the Heat secured second place on the WBBL points table and earned the right to host the Challenger. However, they narrowly missed out on advancing directly to the Final and hosting it, as they are tied on 14 points with the Melbourne Renegades but trail on net run rate.
Loves all things female cricket
