So, that also brings a wrap to our coverage of this game between the Adelaide Strikers Women and Brisbane Heat Women. For now, this is me Hiren Kumar signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash and scorer/analyst Dushyant Kumar. CHEERS!!
Charli Knott (Player of the Match): "Absolutely. I think all the girls are really pumped to get out there and try to get on top of the Strikers early. No doubt, they’ll all be thrilled with that win. Yeah, there were a few nerves at the start, but once I settled in, I felt pretty comfortable out there. It’s always a good wicket. Later on, I felt really good.
Yeah, I did cut my hair, so that’s one reason I’m not too focused on it. Plus, the pre-game prep to braid it was getting lengthy, so I decided on a simpler routine for games going forward. I'm just focused on continuing the good work.
I'm really happy with my position in the team and feel clear about my role. Obviously, the main goal is to make it to the finals again. There are a few nerves for the debutants, but they've been in the program for a while, and this opportunity will help them."
Player of the Match: Charli Knott
11:15 IST & 4:15 PM Local Time | ALL OVER! Brisbane Heat win by 4 wickets and start off their WBBL 2024 Campaign with a win. So, here is how the WBBL opener panned out.
Opting to bowl first, Heat were excellent with the new ball and kept picking wickets at regular intervals and restricted the Strikes to just 133. Shikha Pandey was the pick of the bowlers and ended with the figures of 2/14 in her 4 overs. Nicola Hancock and Jess Jonassen also bowled well and picked up a wicket each.
With the bat, the Strikers were pretty ordinary with the bat and failed to build up big partnerships. Katie Mack was impressive at the top and scored 37 off 34. In the middle order, Skipper Tahila McGrath batted brilliantly and held one end firmly. She played a brilliant knock of 51* off 41 balls.
Coming to the chase, 133 was never going to be easy to defend. Grace Harris started off brilliantly for the Heat and scored 29 off 25 balls. In the middle order, skipper Jess Jonassen also batted well and scored 21 off 20. In the end, it was Charli Knott played a match winning knock of 44* off just 30 balls and finished the game for her side.
With the ball, there were not much positives for the Strikers. Megan Schutt bowled well and picked up 2 wickets in the backend of the innings. Orla Prendergast and and Jemma Barsby also bowled well and picked up a wicket each.
Stay tuned for the presentations.
OVER 18
Brisbane Heat Women
134/6
Sianna Ginger
2(3)
Charli Knott
44(30)
Anesu Mushangwe
1-15(2.0)
17.6 A Mushangwe to C Knott
1 That's it! Brisbane Heat Women defeat the defending champions in the inaugural match of WBBL 2024 by four wickets to kickstart their campaign on a high note. Flighted delivery on the stumps. Knott skips down the track and lofts it over mid-off for a single to finish the game.
17.6 A Mushangwe to C Knott
WD Full and darted down the leg. Knott looks to sweep but misses. Wide signalled by the umpire. The scores are level now.