Melbourne Renegades eked a two-run win versus the Brisbane Heat most emphatically at the Women’s Big Bash League 2023 (WBBL 2023) at the Allan Border Field, Brisbane. This win is their second at the tournament and certainly upset the proceedings for the run to the knockouts. An inspired all-round show by Hayley Matthews coupled with a remarkable bowling show put up by the Renegades paved the way for a famous win versus Brisbane Heat.
Brisbane Heat won the toss and decided to bowl first. The opening duo for the Renegades, Emma De Broughe and Tammy Beaumont gave an ideal start and got right off the blocks with some crucial boundaries. Nicola Hancock delivered the first breakthrough dismissing the English batter Beaumont for 20 and with Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur joining the proceedings, the Renegades looked big for a total. The duo of De Broughe and Kaur kept the scoreboard ticking and looked formidable through the powerplay of the WBBL 2023.
Crunched through cover 👊
This is what Hayley Matthews can do! #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/rh5Cns88zd
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 17, 2023
As Kaur was dismissed by Amelia Kerr for a well-played 22, skipper Hayley Matthews was the new batter and looked to score big from the get-go. Scoring a scintillating 46 off 28 balls, Matthews was able to unleash her best performance of the season and with de Broughe scoring a valuable 42 off 35 and a cameo of 11 off 7 by Jess Duffin, the Renegades posted a commendable 169/7 in the thrilling match of the WBBL 2023.
Nicola Hancock was the silver lining for the Brisbane Heat bowling attack as she pocketed four wickets and with Grace Harris scalping two, the task was cut out for a big chase.
Hank the Tank! Again! 😤
Hancock bowls Hayley Matthews with the first ball of the Power Surge! #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/2QJZxs14PT
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 17, 2023
Brisbane Heat did not have the most auspicious start to their run chase losing Georgia Redmayne for 2 as Hayley Matthews outfoxed her. Grace Harris kept the hopes alive as she looked fearless and at her attacking best. Bess Heath tried to amp up the run-getting process but her dismissal for 13 did not help the cause. With Amelia Kerr and Mignon du Preez out for 8 and 13 respectively, the pursuit of 170 was only getting complicated as the Heat was struggling at 87/4 but their required run rate did not suggest the same.
Grace Harris held one end and was inspiring a tale of a comeback in the WBBL 2023 match but her dismissal for a well-played 65 off 36 (8×4, 2×6) where she was striking at 180.56 meant half the batting was back in the pavilion. As regular wickets hindered the proceedings for the Heat, the Renegades seemed to have finally gained an upper hand as the Heat needed 31 off the last 15 balls.
That is a very good looking cricket shot from Grace Harris 🤌#WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/PC4I2U1KFK
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 17, 2023
That is when an inspired Jess Jonassen stepped up when the team needed her the most and scored 17 off 8 with three consecutive fours coming off of Harmanpreet Kaur’s over and with Nicola Hancock playing perfect counterpart ringing in 17 off 9, a cameo that saw her hit a four and six; reducing the equation to six needed off the last over even as two wickets remained for the Heat.
The pressure mounted on the tailenders Hancock and Courtney Sippel who were unable to secure the needed runs as Hayley Matthews bowled the perfect over peppered with dots to seal this win for the Renegades by a minuscule margin of two runs in the WBBL 2023. Sarah Coyte was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets and Gerogie Prestwidge with two scalps also made a statement. For her brilliant all-round performance, Hayley Matthews was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’.
GADES WIN!
Hayley Matthews is the hero as the Renegades shock the Heat in Brisbane! #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/4lzuTNOUZq
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 17, 2023
This loss meant Brisbane Heat retained their third position on the table and with three games left, they would look to secure a knockout berth and with 14 points, they are on par with Adelaide Strikers. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season pans out.
WBBL 2023: Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat Brief Scores
Brief Scores Melbourne Renegades 169/7 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 46, Emma De Brough 42; Nicola Hancock 4/20, Grace Harris 2/16) beat Brisbane Heat 167/9 in 20 overs (Grace Harris 65, Jess Jonassen 17; Sarah Coyte 3/26) by 2 runs.
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