![Alana King stole the show with a stellar five wicket haul in WBBL 2024 [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/dl.beatsnoop.com-3000-B57Dmne9xc.jpg "Alana King stole the show with a stellar five wicket haul [Image: Getty]")
In an intense Women’s Big Bash League 2024 (WBBL 2024) encounter between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat at the WACA in Perth, the Scorchers clinched a convincing 28-run victory, with Beth Mooney’s stellar performance proving pivotal alongside Alana King’s fifer.
Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney Set The Base
Brisbane Heat’s decision to field first appeared promising early on, but Beth Mooney’s remarkable innings anchored the Perth Scorchers to a competitive total of 142 for 8. Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney opened the batting for the Scorchers, with Devine making a quick start. She showed intent right away, finding the boundary five times in her 22-ball 25 before falling to Nadine de Klerk at the end of the powerplay. Despite this early wicket, Mooney stepped up, combining composure with aggressive strokes to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Mooney’s innings showcased her experience and shot selection as she took calculated risks, focusing on finding gaps rather than reckless hitting. Her approach allowed the Scorchers to maintain a steady run rate even as they lost wickets around her.
Dayalan Hemalatha contributed briefly, scoring 7 runs before being caught by Grace Harris off Charli Knott, leaving Mooney to shoulder the responsibility. Amy Jones joined Mooney at the crease and added a quickfire 10 from 11 balls, but her stay was short-lived as Nicola Hancock dismissed her in the 12th over. With the top order faltering, Mooney adapted her play, balancing aggression with caution.
Beth Mooney Keeps Up The Momentum
Mooney kept the momentum alive, bringing up her half-century in 41 balls with well-timed boundaries and rotation of the strike. She showed particular skill in exploiting gaps through cover and midwicket, timing the ball superbly to keep Brisbane Heat’s bowlers on the defensive. Her powerful yet measured approach was essential, as wickets continued to fall around her.
Mikayla Hinkley was bowled by de Klerk for 6, and Chloe Piparo managed only 4 runs before Hancock struck again, restricting the Scorchers from building substantial partnerships. Mooney’s knock, however, anchored the innings, showing her ability to adapt and shift gears when needed. She added crucial runs in the last overs, pushing the Scorchers past the 140-mark with her final boundary-filled flourish.
Nicola Hancock Take Crucial Wickets
Hancock was the pick of the bowlers for Brisbane Heat, taking 3 for 23 in her four overs. Her disciplined line and ability to hit the right lengths troubled the Scorchers, especially towards the end when she dismissed both Mooney and Piparo in quick succession.
Shikha Pandey’s economical spell was also significant, as her 4-over spell went for just 17 runs, preventing the Scorchers from a late onslaught. De Klerk’s contribution of 2 for 31, though more expensive, proved valuable, with her breakthroughs putting pressure on the Scorchers during the middle overs. Despite these efforts, Mooney’s innings left the Heat with a challenging target.
All hail the KING 👑@alanaking95 #WBBL10 pic.twitter.com/F1o9lMKkNM
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 5, 2024
Brisbane Heat’s Forgettable Run Chase
Brisbane Heat’s chase of 143 started with aggressive intent but quickly ran into trouble as they lost wickets at critical junctures, disrupting any potential momentum. Grace Harris, known for her powerful stroke play, got off to a promising start with a rapid 14 off just 9 deliveries, hitting a four and a six in quick succession.
However, her promising cameo was cut short when Ebony Hoskin bowled her in the third over, leaving the Heat at 20 for 1. Georgia Redmayne, often a reliable presence at the top, struggled to get going and was dismissed for a duck, caught by Beth Mooney off Chloe Ainsworth. This early setback left the Heat wobbling at 25 for 2 in 3.4 overs, placing immediate pressure on the middle order.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Jess Jonassen Dismissed Early
Jemimah Rodrigues and Jess Jonassen then came together in an attempt to stabilize the innings, but they were unable to build a significant partnership. Rodrigues, typically adept at anchoring the chase, managed just 13 runs before falling to a tight fielding effort by the Scorchers. Jonassen, meanwhile, contributed 14 runs, but her innings was cut short before she could establish control over the chase. With both set batters back in the pavilion, the Heat’s innings looked increasingly fragile, lacking a steadying influence.
Charli Knott attempted to provide some resistance, scoring a patient 13, but her efforts were undone by Alana King, whose entry into the attack turned the game firmly in the Scorchers’ favour. King’s first breakthrough came at a crucial moment, and she used her skill to vary pace and extract turn, which unsettled the Heat’s batters. Her dismissal of Knott signaled a shift, as King began to dominate, tearing through the Heat’s lower order.
Laura Harris Provides Some Respite
The Heat’s hopes were briefly reignited by Laura Harris, who launched a counterattack with a blazing 40 off just 21 balls. Harris showcased her power with three boundaries and four massive sixes, injecting life into the chase and keeping her team’s slim hopes alive.
Her aggressive approach rattled the Scorchers’ bowlers, but her dismissal in the 18th over marked the beginning of the end for Brisbane. Attempting another big hit off King, Harris mistimed her shot and was caught, ending her explosive innings. With Harris gone, the Heat had little left in the tank.
Alana King’s Game Changing Spell
King’s spell was nothing short of spectacular. She claimed a match-winning 5 for 16 in her four overs, with a strategic approach that targeted both new and established batters. Her accuracy and variations in flight and pace made her nearly unplayable, as she claimed four of the last five wickets, leading the Heat from 87 for 6 to a swift collapse at 114 all out. This dominant spell sealed the Scorchers’ victory as she dismantled the Heat’s tailenders with ease.
The Scorchers’ bowlers collectively displayed impressive discipline. Ebony Hoskin’s early strike on Grace Harris provided a crucial breakthrough, while Chloe Ainsworth’s removal of Redmayne further strengthened the Scorchers’ grip. Hoskin ended with economical figures of 2 for 19, and Ainsworth’s 1 for 25 included the vital wicket of Redmayne. Amy Edgar and Sophie Devine chipped in with a wicket apiece, keeping the pressure on the Heat and ensuring the Scorchers always stayed in control.
Beth Mooney was awarded Player of the Match for her anchoring 77 off 52 balls, an innings that laid the foundation for the Scorchers’ defendable total. Her tactical awareness and shot selection were crucial, as she held the innings together and prevented a collapse when wickets fell around her. This win solidifies the Scorchers’ standing in the tournament, underscoring their balanced approach with both bat and ball. For the Heat, this loss highlights vulnerabilities in their batting lineup that they will need to address in upcoming matches, especially in stabilizing the middle order and handling quality spin.
Brief Scores WBBL 2024: Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat – Match 14
Perth Scorchers: 142/8 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 77, Sophie Devine 25; Nicola Hancock 3/23, Nadine de Klerk 2/31) defeated Brisbane Heat: 114 all out in 18 overs (Laura Harris 40, Grace Harris 14; Alana King 5/16, Ebony Hoskin 2/19) by 28 runs.
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