Summary
A remarkable conclusion to the game sees Sydney Thunder through to their first WBBL final since 2015-16 and Brisbane Heat left wondering how they managed to turn what seemed a comfortable run-chase into a complete train wreck. The Heat, chasing 144 to win, went from 119-4 in the 16th over to all out for 131 just 19 deliveries later. The dramatic collapse amounted to a loss of six wickets for just 12 runs and there will be no attempt at a WBBL three-peat for the Heat against Melbourne Stars in the decider on Saturday.
Thunder skipper Rachael Haynes was the cornerstone of her team’s innings, posting an unbeaten 48 to help the tally along to 143-6 after being forced to bat first. It would prove to be a match-winning total despite the best efforts of the Heat top-order. Georgia Redmayne (25), Nadine de Klerk (27) and Laura Kimmince (37 off 17 balls) did what they could to put the Heat into a position of strength, but some awful running between wickets – there were three run outs in the innings – and some brilliant bowling from Hannah Darlington (3-19) and Sammy-Jo Johnson (2-14) contrived to spark a capitulation for the ages.
Thanks for your company tonight. What a game. Please join us again for Saturday’s final between the Stars and the Thunder.
Updated
at 6.35am EST
Preamble
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the WBBL second semi-final at North Sydney Oval. The prize on offer here is a berth in the final and a date with Melbourne Stars, who were highly impressive in their seven-wicket dispatch of Perth Scorchers at the same venue yesterday. For Brisbane Heat, victory tonight will keep alive their bid for a record third successive WBBL title. Sydney Thunder, the competition’s inaugural champions, are pursuing a victory that will advance them to the decider for the first time since that triumph in 2015-16.
The Heat enter this knockout contest in the rudest of health, having won seven consecutive games to turn around an indifferent start to the campaign. The Thunder are also in good touch with three victories from their past four attempts. Honours were split during the regular season, with the Thunder drawing first blood in a rain-affected fixture before the Heat hit back with a comfortable eight-wicket triumph that kickstarted their winning streak.
Looking forward to this one. Every chance it will be a close encounter. If you’d like to get involved, drop me an email or tweet @scott_heinrich.
Updated
at 2.41am EST