The Challenger: Brisbane Heat Women vs Sydney Thunder Women | Squads | Players to Watch | Fantasy Playing XI | Live Streaming

The Sydney Thunder, with six wins from 10 games, and the Brisbane Heat, with seven wins from 10 games, advanced to the 2024 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) Finals. The Thunder handed the Hobart Hurricanes an upset in the knockout to progress to the Challenger. This must-win, with a ticket to the final at stake, is scheduled for the 29th of November 2024, at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, at 1:45 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

Squads:

Sydney Thunder Women

Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Adams, Chamari Athapaththu, Sam Bates, Ella Briscoe, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson

Brisbane Heat Women

Jess Jonassen, Bonnie Berry, Nadine de Klerk, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Charli Knott, Shikha Pandey, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Jemimah Rodrigues, Mikayla Wrigley

Players to watch out:

Chamari Athapaththu

The 34-year-old all-rounder, from 59 WBBL outings, has accumulated 1,243 runs at an average of 24.37 and a strike rate of 106.69, while also claiming 27 wickets from 31 innings, including the best of 3/20, with an economy rate of 6.94. Chamari has managed a return to form with the bat in recent outings, and while she has been consistent with the ball, she can be relied upon to deliver the goods.

Hannah Darlington

The 22-year-old pacer, from 68 WBBL bowling innings, has taken 92 wickets at an economy rate of 7.25 and registered the best of 5/10, while also proving handy with the bat on a few occasions. Though Hannah hasn’t been very successful this season, claiming only 12 wickets from 10 outings, she has produced crucial breakthroughs and will hopefully step up with an improved effort to lead the wickets tally.

Also Read: Summary: Match 30 - An all-round performance from Natalie Sciver helps Scorchers win over Thunders

Georgia Redmayne

The 30-year-old keeper-batter, from 116 WBBL innings, has amassed 2,598 runs at an average of 24.98 and a strike rate of 104.80. With 16 half-centuries to her name, she has registered the highest score of 98*. Georgia has been a reliable batter; however, she has struggled for runs this season and should be backed to follow up with a big score, building on her recent starts of 28, 19, and 25.

Jess Jonassen

The 32-year-old all-rounder, from 145 WBBL outings, has bagged 176 wickets at an economy rate of 6.58 and, from 128 innings, has scored 2,207 runs at a strike rate of 115.48, with bests of 67* and 4/13. Jess has had another effective season this time, posting 174 runs and taking 14 wickets, and will be counted on for another all-round effort, leading her team from the front into consecutive Finals.

Pitch:

With an average score in the 150s, the fairly balanced Allan Border Field wicket offers an engaging contest between bat and ball. However, bowlers, particularly pacers, have the upper hand, and once batters get used to the bounce, scoring becomes easier.

Weather:

With scattered showers and a high chance of rain during match hours, the conditions are not ideal for a game in Brisbane. The temperature is forecast to hover around 24°C, with moderate winds and a humidity level of 76%.

Fantasy playing XI:

Georgia Redmayne, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen, Chamari Athapaththu, Charli Knott, Shikha Pandey, Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington