Brisbane Heat 134 for 1 (Redmayne 53*, Rodrigues 43 rh, Bates 1-25) beat Sydney Thunder 133 for 7 (Darlington 40*, Peschel 24*, Parsons 3-10) by nine wickets
Brisbane Heat produced a dominant performance to storm into the WBBL final, after Jemimah Rodrigues made Sydney Thunder pay for clumsy fielding at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
But there will be concern over Rodrigues’ availability for Sunday’s final at the MCG between Heat and Melbourne Renegades. She had to retire hurt after the tenth over of the chase, having aggravated a left wrist injury sustained earlier in the game while attempting to save a boundary during Thunder’s innings. While batting, Rodrigues grew in discomfort at the crease, especially after slamming down on a yorker from seamer Taneale Peschel.
After being dropped three times, Rodrigues left the field having made 43 from 30 balls, before Georgia Redmayne took over with an unbeaten half-century as Heat mowed down the 134-run target with 28 balls to spare.
After electing to bowl, Heat dominated most of the Challenger final, and were right on top to leave Thunder reeling at 69 for 7 after opting to bowl. Peschel and Hannah Darlington produced a WBBL record eighth-wicket partnership of 64 runs from 36 balls in the lone bright spot for Thunder.
Having let slip their stranglehold late in Thunder’s innings, Heat were dealt an early blow after opener Grace Harris was stumped in the second over after having charged at left-arm spinner Samantha Bates.
Rodrigues made the most of a charmed life after being dropped on 0, 25 and 30. Her inventiveness came to the fore, and she combined well in a 75-run second-wicket partnership with Redmayne, who was imperious on the back foot.
But Rodrigues was increasingly in discomfort, before pulling the pin on her innings. Her fitness will be a major talking point ahead of the WBBL final, and also for India’s upcoming ODI series against Australia.
