The eleventh edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) served up a high-scoring clash at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, where Melbourne Stars Women won against Brisbane Heat Women’s with a commanding 18-run victory. The result handed the Heat their fifth consecutive loss in as many matches, while the Stars strengthened their revival with their third win of the season.
Having won the toss and opted to bat first, the Stars produced one of their most assertive batting performances of the season — built almost entirely around a breathtaking innings from Marizanne Kapp, who delivered one of the standout knocks of the tournament.
The innings began steadily. Meg Lanning’s brisk 13 off 10 with a four and six provided early impetus before she fell in the third over. Amy Jones struck a sharp 15 off 12, and Annabel Sutherland managed 6, but the middle order kept losing wickets at regular intervals. At 39/4, the Stars were in danger of squandering their start — until Kapp took full command.
What followed was a masterclass in controlled hitting. Kapp’s unbeaten 93 off just 51 balls, studded with nine fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 182.35, transformed the innings entirely. She attacked spin and pace alike, farmed the strike cleverly, and dominated every partnership she was part of. Danielle Gibson supported briefly with 30 off 24, but the innings was unquestionably Kapp’s. The Stars closed on an imposing 171/8; a total built on Kapp’s sheer dominance.
Nadine de Klerk with her 3 for 24 from her 4 overs was the pick of the bowlers while Nicola Hancock also broke partnerships with her 2 for 38. Lucy Hamilton (1 for 33), Chinelle Henry (1 for 35) and Jess Jonassen (1 for 40) were also among wickets but could not stop the runflow.
The Heat’s chase began brightly through Charli Knott, who smashed a lively 31 off 22 with six boundaries. Grace Harris labored to 16 off 20 before falling lbw, and captain Jess Jonassen contributed a steady 15 off 14 to keep the scoreboard in motion. However, regular wickets prevented any sustained momentum.
Nadine de Klerk added 7, Chinelle Henry struck a quick 13, and Georgia Redmayne injected life with a determined 24 off 17, but none could stay long enough to build a defining stand. Lauren Winfield-Hill’s 19 off 17 came too late in the innings, and once she departed at 143/8, the Heat’s hopes faded rapidly. They eventually closed at 153/9, falling short by 18 runs.
The Stars’ attack operated with discipline and clarity of plans. Sophie Day’s 3 for 28 crippled the Heat in the middle overs, while Marizanne Kapp (2 for 31) capped off her all-round masterclass. Rhys McKenna’s 2 for 27, along with tight overs from Kim Garth (1 for 29) and Annabel Sutherland (1 for 23), ensured the required rate never dipped into comfortable territory.
For her extraordinary all-round performance, Marizanne Kapp was named Player of the Match, headlining a victory that reaffirmed the Stars’ presence in the tournament while deepening the Heat’s struggles in a season rapidly slipping away.
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