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Brisbane Heat first team to qualify for rebel WBBL|04 Final

Saturday 19 January 2019

Sammy-Jo Johnson - Player of the Match

©Brisbane Heat

The Brisbane Heat has secured its spot in the rebel WBBL|04 Final having defeated the Sydney Thunder by four runs at Drummoyne Oval.

Requiring 141 runs to win, the Thunder made a disastrous start with the bat, losing opener Rachael Haynes (0) on just the fourth ball of the match.

Fellow opener Rachel Priest (44) kept the scoreboard ticking over with the Thunder looking to be on track in its chase, but when Stalenberg was bowled by Jemma Barsby and their 57-run partnership came to an end, the momentum swung in the Heat's favour.

A crucial 34-run partnership between Stafanie Taylor (17) and Alex Blackwell (29) kept the Thunder in the hunt, but the Heat piled on the pressure in the field as wickets started to fall at a steady rate.

Needing 13 runs off the last over, all-rounder Nicola Carey found the boundary to give her side hope, but with six runs required off the last ball she could only manage to find Haidee Birkett on the rope who held onto the catch to give the Heat a four-run win.

After losing the toss earlier in the day, the Heat was sent in to bat first and was soon on the back foot, losing three early wickets to be 3-38.

All-rounder Sammy-Jo Johnson came to the crease and took control of proceedings with a quick-fire 33 from just 26 balls, combining with Jess Jonassen (13) and Josie Dooley (10) to get the Heat back on track.

An unbeaten 33 from Laura Harris boosted the Heat’s total to 7-140 in a total that proved too much for the Thunder.

Full scores from the match can be found here.