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4:22 pm local time (11:22 am IST): That does it for the first match of this season's WBBL but stay with us and switch tabs here to join our commentators for the second game of the day at the Adelaide Oval itself between Sydney Sixers Women and Melbourne Renegades Women. This is the pair of Pradeep and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda!
Charli Knott is the Player of the Match! Here's what she has to say: Girls were really pumped to get out there, try and get on top of the Strikers early. Always a few little nerves at the start, once I got settled, I felt pretty good. We fly back to Brisbane tomorrow, probably have a relaxing afternoon, and get to the game after that. I did cut my hair off, it was quite lengthy and happy now. Just continue the good work, really happy with my position in the team, I'm quite clear with my role. Obviously want to be in the finals again, that's the main role. Few nerves going in for the debutants, they've been in program for a while and the opportunity helps.
4:15 pm local time (11:15 am IST):
Brisbane Heat Women win by 4 wickets with 2 overs to spare!
Even though the Adelaide Strikers posted a challenge, and expectedly so with the bowling attack they have, Brisbane Heat were able to keep pace with the asking rate right through and got the job done with 12 balls left!
Every player, batting Nadine de Klerk, got a start, and all of them struck at over 90 runs per 100 balls. They were never keen on leaving things late. But Charli Knott's mature innings of 44 unbeaten runs with 5 fours and a six takes the cake!
Knott benefited from the presence of her captain, Jess Jonassen, at the other end. Jonassen played a handy 20-ball 21, steering her team through the middle phase responsibly. What also helped, was young Sianna Ginger remaining not out!
Megan Schutt bowled superbly in her final over to bring things back in perspective for the Strikers but she needed help from her partners. Anesu Mushangwe was introduced into the attack a lot later than expected. And she made her presence felt instantly with a wicket!
The pitch played really well throughout the 38 overs bowled. But the win with a healthy net run rate is what will please the Heat! As for the defending champions, it will be about getting over this loss and bouncing back strong.
18
overs
134/6score
1
1
1
1
4
1wd
1
runs
Charli Knott*
44(30)
Sianna Ginger
2(3)
Anesu Mushangwe
1/15
17.6 Anesu Mushangwe to Charli Knott, REVENGE TAKEN BY THE HEAT! This is an excellent win for the Brisbane Heat in this tournament opener. Knott down the wicket, hoicks it over mid-off, they come back for the second to seal the game.
17.6 Anesu Mushangwe to Charli Knott, WIDE! Fired this full delivery down the leg-side, called a wide. Scores are level now!
17.5 Anesu Mushangwe to Charli Knott, FOUR! Wheels are coming off for the Strikers now, just two needed. Knott down the wicket, lofted it beautifully over to deep covers, one bounce into the ropes.
One big hit will do it!
17.4 Anesu Mushangwe to Sianna Ginger, fired a full toss, Ginger uses her feet and knocked it to long-on for another single.
17.3 Anesu Mushangwe to Charli Knott, down the wicket for the length delivery, Knott drilled it to long-off for one.
This will make Ginger feel better!
17.2 Anesu Mushangwe to Sianna Ginger, slides the length delivery on the stumps, Ginger went back and turned it to long-on for one.
A good result for the Strikers, this?
17.1 Anesu Mushangwe to Charli Knott, short on the fourth stump, Knott rocks back and slapped it to wide long-off for just a single.
Megan Schutt just cannot be written off, can she? Every time Australia need her to deliver, she does, more often than not. She may well have brought her side back in this!
17
overs
124/6score
0
4
W
0
W
0
runs
Sianna Ginger*
0(1)
Charli Knott
37(26)
Megan Schutt
2/27
16.6 Megan Schutt to Sianna Ginger, length delivery on the stumps, on the money again. Ginger watchfully knocked it back to the bowler. Schutt has given a ray of hope for Strikers here as she finishes the spell!
Sianna Ginger, RHB, is at the crease.
Nervous moments for de Klerk here. Well, forget the nerves, she is out! Megan Schutt is not in the mood to throw in the towel.
16.5 Megan Schutt to Nadine de Klerk, OUT! BIG APPEALS FOR LBW, TURNED DOWN! Was that going over? That is another excellent delivery from Schutt, squaring up the batter completely. Back fo a length, angled in and straightens, pings de Klerk on the thigh pad. McGrath wants to review this.
Nothing on the UltraEdge! Guess what, ball tracking has THREE REDS! What an excellent review from McGrath and they are not giving up just yet!
Nadine de Klerk lbw b Megan Schutt 0 (2b, 0x4, 0x6)
16.4 Megan Schutt to Nadine de Klerk, pace off, back of a length into the batter. de Klerk waits on the backfoot and defends.