Brisbane Heat 159 (de Klerk 43, Arlott 3-35) lost to Sydney Thunder 200 for 6 (Wilson 79, de Klerk 2-34) by 41 runs.
With a massive 200 for 6, the Sydney Thunder have won the WBBL for the second time in a row, seriously jeopardizing the winless Brisbane Heat’s chances of making it to the finals.
Tahlia Wilson, the Thunder opener, scored 41 runs and won player-of-the-match for the second time in a row. Wilson was called to bat by the hosts at Allan Border Field on Friday, and his 79 off just 51 deliveries served as the basis for the 200-run total.
Despite a daring performance by South Africa international Nadine de Klerk (43 off 27 deliveries), the Heat were never in the hunt and were dismissed for 159 in 19.1 overs.
Wilson’s knock, which came after her undefeated 55 against Perth Scorchers two days prior, was only four runs shy of her best-ever total of 83.
The 26-year-old played a variety of flicks down the leg-side, hitting eight boundaries and clearing the rope twice as he expertly drove the ball straight down the ground and into the off-side.
Wilson claimed that after raising her game to a new level, starting the innings was how she wanted to play.
“I think being back at the top of the order has been a good thing for me,” Wilson stated to the AAP. “I can get full value by going out early and timing the ball. This year, I’ve stepped up my game, and I’m happy that it’s working.
I tried to hit down the ground a lot more throughout the preseason. Many females are aware that I want to hit it square, but adding that allows me to go right down the ground, especially during the power play.
Important hitters Grace Harris (calf) and Jemimah Rodrigues, the star of India’s World Cup, were absent from the Heat due to personal obligations.
The Thunder were 99 for 1 after ten overs, and the Heat’s only happiness came when their captain, Jess Jonassen, trapped Georgia Voll (21), a former Heat teammate, in front while attempting a reverse sweep.
In her exciting 31 off 19 balls, which featured six boundaries, Hunder captain Phoebe Litchfield used a variety of ramps and lofted off drives.
Nicola Hancock rattled the stumps during an attempted ramp, which ultimately led to Litchfield’s demise.
Former Heat master blaster Laura Harris had no joy against her old squad, holing out for her second golden duck in a row.
With four losses, the Heat’s WBBL campaign is in disarray. To be eligible to play in this year’s finals series, last year’s finalists must win five of their final six games. After suffering three losses at the beginning of the season, the Thunder have recovered with back-to-back victories.
