WBBL 2024/25, SS-W vs BH-W Match Report 26, November 14, 2024


Brisbane heat 139 of 9 (Harris 39, Kerr 4-23) won Sydney Sixers 127 for 8 (Bryce 30, Jonassen 3-24) by 12 runs

Brisbane Heat have continued to breathe life into their WBBL campaign, dealing a major blow to the Sydney Sixers’ campaign after beating the hosts by 12 runs.

In a crucial match for both teams, the Heat bowlers managed to restrict the Sixers to 127 for 8 at the North Sydney Oval, defending their total of 139 for 9 with apparent ease.

Led by Jess Jonassen (3 for 24), the Heat remain fifth in the standings with a 4-3 record after two straight wins.

The Sixers, however, are at risk of missing the finals for the second straight season with a 3-4 record while sitting in sixth place in the standings. Even more concerning for the Sixers is the fact that they had some control midway through the game.

The New Zealander fought her way through Brisbane’s middle and lower order, while Sophie Ecclestone also claimed 2 for 18 from her four overs.

But from there, it all fell apart for the Sixers on a field where runs are usually easy to come by. Alyssa Healy’s difficult start to the tournament continued when she skied Shikha Pandey (2 for 25) in the first over, while Ellyse Perry also fell for one early.

Kerr became Pandey’s second victim soon after, and by the time Ashleigh Gardner was trying to catch Jess Jonassen, the game was almost over.

Sarah Bryce (30 off 26) and Ecclestone (24 not out off 18) threatened a late comeback as teenager Caoimhe Bray also helped reduce the equation to 29 off 12 balls.

But Pandey and Jonassen stood tall when it mattered in the last two overs to take the Heat home.

The other highlight for both the Sixers and Australia is Healy’s fitness. The 34-year-old opted not to stay on Thursday and Bryce kept the gloves.

Healy has previously said she hopes to be coached over the summer after a foot injury at the World Cup, and Thursday’s move is part of that.

“I’ve got some things going on right now that I’m coaching,” Healy told Fox between two catches at short third. “It’s obviously a big summer of cricket. I’m still very confident I can bat, but I wasn’t sure about squatting, which is one of the concerns.

“I’m just trying to manage that, getting through the WBBL, we’ve got six ODIs before Christmas and then the Ashes.”



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