WBBL wrap: Heat back on track, Thunder steal a win

Mooney, Keer steer Heat home after Jonassen's heroics

Beth Mooney overcame a painful blow while Amelia Kerr showed off her potential with the bat as the Brisbane Heat claimed a thrilling five-wicket win over the Hobart Hurricanes at Allan Border Field.

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In a chase that swung dramatically in both directions, the Heat fell to 4-41 early in their pursuit of 124 before Mooney – who batted on after copping a painful blow to the forearm from Hurricanes speedster Tayla Vlaeminck – struck an unbeaten 44 to anchor the chase.

The chase was still in the balance in the 18th over with Brisbane still 29 runs short of victory, when Kerr slammed four boundaries off the bowling of Belinda Vakarewa to set up victory with one ball remaining.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen collected 4-20, including three wickets from one over, while Sammy-Jo Johnson took 2-16 to restrict the Hurricanes to 8-123 despite England star Knight’s 61 not out.

The Heat now have two wins from four matches, to sit third on the ladder in their title defence.

Blackwell, Thunder steal victory from winless Stars

A textbook run chase from Alex Blackwell helped Sydney Thunder steal an unlikely win from the Melbourne Stars at Bankstown Oval.

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The Thunder looked out of the chase at 5-91 after 15 overs in pursuit of the Stars’ 5-141, before Blackwell’s 45no from 36 deliveries steered her side home with two balls to spare and four wickets in hand.

She launched a six from the penultimate over to take the required rate under a run a ball, working in tandem with fellow veteran Rene Farrell – who also cleared the rope in her six-ball 10no – as the Thunder collected their third win of the season.

Earlier, Rachel Priest (45 off 36) made an aggressive start to the chase, but the Thunder were put on the back foot as the wickets tumbled, with Stars leg-spinner Madeline Penna picking up 4-20 in just her second Big Bash game.

The defeat was a blow for the winless and injury-hit Stars, who have yet to register a point from four matches.

In positive signs, Stars captain Elyse Villani returned to form with 52 from 47 deliveries, while fellow opener Lizelle Lee cashed in early, clearing the boundary four times in her 50 from 34 balls.

They put on 79 for the first wicket, but the Stars stalled after their dismissals with Mignon du Preez (14) the next highest scorer.  

McGrath steers Strikers to thumping win over Perth

A brilliant innings from Tahlia McGrath steered Adelaide Strikers to their third win of Rebel WBBL|05 at Brisbane’s AB Field.

In early trouble chasing the Perth Scorchers’ 9-115, McGrath steadied proceedings before unleashing, finishing unbeaten on 65 from just 46 deliveries as the Strikers cruised home by seven wickets with 32 balls remaining.

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McGrath, fresh off a stint in England’s domestic Super League, found the boundary eight times and cleared it twice in her match-winning knock, sharing a key 94-run fourth-wicket stand with England import Lauren Winfield.

Earlier, the Strikers had appeared in dire trouble after the early losses of Suzie Bates (8), Sophie Devine (0) and Bridget Patterson left them wobbly at 3-22, with Irish quick Kim Garth (2-25) dangerous early.

Batting first, the Scorchers lost Meg Lanning (4) and Amy Jones (3) early, the pair unable to repeat their heroics against the Brisbane Heat from Saturday.

Nicole Bolton and English allrounder Natalie Sciver shared a key 49-run partnership but once Sciver departed for 26 the wickets continued to tumble, with Bolton’s 43-ball 41 the only significant contribution.

Sarah Coyte (3-18) continued her strong form, while Bates (2-14) also impressed.

To come next weekend:

It's Perth's turn to host a WBBL Festival weekend, with four matches to be played at the WACA Ground from Friday to Sunday.

Check out the full fixture HERE.