Quantcast

Heat, Thunder derail Cane train

Mooney and Kimmince see the Heat home in another low-scoring WBBL clash

Cheatle, Taylor continue Thunder's winning run

An outstanding bowling performance from the Sydney Thunder was enough to see off the Hobart Hurricanes and complete an unbeaten weekend in the Rebel Women's Big Bash League on Sunday.

Defending their 5-121, Thunder pair Lauren Cheatle (3-14) and Stafanie Taylor (2-14) removed danger pair Heather Knight and Hayley Matthews early to put the Hurricanes on the back foot, and the pair continued to take regular wickets.

Just when Erin Burns and Veronica Pyke started to build a threatening partnership, Nicola Carey joined the party, taking 3-12 to mop up Hobart's tail and complete the 26-run victory.

Coming off duel wins over the Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat on Saturday, the Thunder looked in trouble early when they lost in-form West Indian Taylor for a duck on the fourth ball of the match.

However, a 51-run partnership between Alex Blackwell (44) and Rachel Haynes (39) steadied proceedings, setting a target that ultimately proved too much for the home side.

The defeat stretched the Hurricanes' losing streak to three matches, following a loss to the Heat earlier in the day and Saturday's eight-run setback against the Thunder, who have overtaken them as table toppers. 

Masterful Mooney claims crucial win for the Heat

A 79-ball partnership between the Brisbane Heat’s opener Beth Mooney (46) and captain Delissa Kimmince (38) has saved an early innings wobble to guide them over the line against the high-flying Hobart Hurricanes. 

The Hurricanes, who were defending a below-par total of just 107 at Kingston Twin Ovals in Hobart, looked to have the visitors in trouble early on after two run-outs and tight bowling restricted the Heat to 4-27 in the sixth over.

However, the Rebel Women’s Big Bash leading run-scorer Beth Mooney held firm for the Heat while wickets tumbled around her. During an uncharacteristically restrained knock which contained just three boundaries, Mooney was ably supported by her captain Kimmince, who had yet to find form with the bat this tournament, but today played a captain’s knock to anchor the Heat’s innings. Not a bad time to come into runs, with finals spots now at stake.

The match was characterised by tight bowling throughout – the Heat’s Jess Jonassen returned figures of 2-14 off her four overs while the Hurricanes’ Heather Knight returned equally frugal figures, also with off-spin. For the second time in three games the Hurricane’s top run-scorer was Corinne Hall, whose busy 33 off 34 balls was indicative of the struggle for runs for both teams at the crease.

It was an important win for the Heat, who have just one match remaining, against the Adelaide Strikers on January 16.

FREE OFFER: Get an Optus Live Pass to stream every ball of BBL matches (and Test matches) for FREE until midnight January 9. Click here or on the image below.